... the architectural style of Rome was firmly rooted in the Hellenistic Greek traditions. Before the Romans, the most commonly used building style was the post and lintel. The post and lintel systems were limited in the weight it could carry and the span between the supports. What the Romans developed and interrelated into the Greek architectural style was the arch. The arch was, indeed, a revelation in the world of architecture. What had been the common, less supportive structure of the post and lintel, so commonly seen in the Greek temples, had now been replaced by the strength of this new arch. The Roman invention of the arch allowed architects to build larger structures than ever before. This arch was far stronger than the post and lintel. It was relatively easy to make with the scaffolding in place and the support was held in place with the 'keystone'. The weight ...

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