Fig. 589. Temple of Vesta at Tivoli, with Roman-Corinthian columns.
Roman Architecture is a combination of the Etruscan and the Greek, principally distinguished from the latter by the circular arch, and the monopteral or circular temple unknown to the Greeks, but a favourite form with the tomb-building ancestors of the Etruscans. The orders of Roman architecture were the Doric and Ionic, detrimentally modified; the Corinthian, which they greatly enriched; and the Composite, of which the upper part of the capital was Ionic, and the remainder Corinthian. The distinguishing feature of the Roman architecture is, however, less in the modifications of the orders, than in their application in composite arcades, or plain arches of Etruscan design, faced by and supporting a purely ornamental arrangement of a long horizontal entablature on two columns. (Consult Fergusson, Hist. of Arch., vol. i.)
Roman Doric Order of Architecture. A deteriorated imitation of the Grecian Doric, adopted, with considerable modifications, by modern Italian architects.
Roman Ochre or Italian Earth. A pigment of a rich orange yellow, used both raw and burnt in oil and water-colours. (See Ochre.)
Roman Sepia is sepia (q.v.) mixed with red.
Romanesque. A degenerated and hybrid style of architecture and ornament, transitional from the classical Roman to the introduction of the Gothic. In the architecture there is an incongruous combination of the horizontal and arched methods of construction; and in the ornament a similar dissonance of natural and conventional or fanciful objects. Fairholt calls it the classic rococo. Fergusson (Hist. of Arch., vol. i. p. 352) defines the Romanesque as “that modification of the classical Roman form, which was introduced between the reigns of Constantine and Justinian, and was avowedly an attempt to adapt classical forms to Christian purposes.” He says, “If Romanesque is to be applied to our Norman architecture, the Parthenon ought to be called Egyptianesque, and the Temple at Ephesus Assyrianesque.” There seems to be no universally-received definition of this term.
Rondache, Fr. A round shield for foot-soldiers. It had a slit near the top to look through, and another at the side for the sword.
Ronde Bosse (It. rondo bosso). Sculpture in relief with a complete rounded outline, detached from the ground.
Rood, Chr. (1) A cross or crucifix. (2) A space of 1210 square yards; the fourth of an acre. (3) In building, 36 square yards of work. (4) As a linear measure variable, from 21 feet to 36 yards.