Roman

(ro'man.) [FromL. Roman us.] Adjectively, that which pertains or has reference to Rome, or its inhabitants. (Script.) A member of the Christian Church at Rome, to which St. Paul addre ed an epistle; and which consisted of converts from Judaism and heathenism.-(Print.) The upright printing-letters now in ordinary use, as distinguished from Italic characters.-R. Candle. (Pyrotechnics.) A firework in the form of a candle, which emits a series of bright stars in succe ion.-R. Cement. (Building.) A cement obtained by the calcination of argillaceous limestone containing silicate of alumina. The stone being burnt, the carbonic acid is expelled, and, when water is added, a hydrated silicate of lime and alumina is formed. Ro'man Architecture. Rome under the Empire was the capital of the world, and attracted artists from every country. The result was that the architecture of Rome became a mixed style. It was all imported, and partook of the character of the importers. Its rom TRANSVERSE SECTION OF BASILICA OF MAXENTIUS. great interest is, that it is a mixture and amalgamation of all the ancient styles, and the starting-point for all the modern styles. R. A. differs considerably from the Grecian, both in general aspect and in the details; it also embraces two additional orders, the Tuscan and Composite, which were unknown to the Greeks. The mouldings are rounder and often more prominent; the enrichments both in design and execution are bolder, and are frequently used in greater profusion, while figures are comparatively seldom introduced; the en tablatures in many cases are broken over the columns; the pediments are steeper, and the shafts of the columns, instead of diminishing in a straight line from the base to the capital, are very often slightly curved. The arch also (Fig. 566), which appears to have been unknown to the Greeks, was brought into general use by the Romans, and greatly affected the character of their architecture; at its first introduction it was made subordinate to the columns and entablature, but it soon came to be regarded as a more important principle, and was adopted as one of the leading features: many late R. buildings have been vaulted. In general appearance R. A. is le chaste and simple than the Grecian, but it is bolder, richer, and more imposing. [s. 775]