Apollodorus of Damascus

The famous architect Apollodorus of Damascus, of Nabataean Arab origins, was the chief architect of the Roman Empire and its greatest architect. He reformulated the Roman architecture, where he made domes and eaves a basic criterion in it. He also introduced baroque styles and oriental patterns to it, leaving a permanent imprint on it and the subsequent arts of architecture.

1. Apollodorus was born in the second half of the first century AD. A number of historians tend to believe that his name was originally Abodat, but he took another name parallel to him (Apolodorus), as is the case with others who aspire to gain a prominent position in Roman society. But his bearing a Greek name did not obliterate the thinness of his Greek second language.

1. Apollodorus worked early in his career as a military engineer, and likely met the future Emperor Trajan in Syria. Later, Trajan summoned Apollodorus to join him, as he became a close friend to him and his favorite engineer, accompanying him in all his military campaigns.
2. The genius of Apollodorus appeared for the first time in the construction of a bridge over the Danube River that spanned a distance of more than one kilometer! One of the longest bridges of antiquity, known as Trajan’s Bridge, allowed the Roman army led by Emperor Trajan to cross the Danube River smoothly and kept its supply lines uninterrupted during the Second Dacian War.

After Apollodorus proved his competence, he was entrusted with completing a huge “Thermian” building in the capital, Rome, where he introduced new architecture elements, the most important of which is the frequent use of corridors, arches, and domes, and the frequent use of windows, which is clear evidence of his prowess in light engineering, representing his oriental artistic spirit.

1. He then undertook the establishment of Trajan Square, which included a group of buildings, including a temple, two libraries, a triumphal arch, and administrative facilities. Most notably the building of the Basilica of Olbia, which consisted of the Nave nave and half-arches of the Apse apse, which Constantine the Great later took as a model for building Roman churches. (from which the Byzantine style will develop)

A victory column known as Trajan’s Column was also erected in the field, the first of its kind in Roman architecture, as it is one of the purely Levantine aspects of Levantine architecture brought by Apollodorus to Rome.

Also, a commercial complex was established next to Tarjan Square, which contained a dome in its large hall, two archways, and landmarks influenced by the oriental style.

1. He is also credited with inventing a number of war machines and building many buildings, including:
   • Alcunetar Bridge in Spain
   • Trijan’s Arches in Benevento and Ancona
   • Tarjan harbour
   • Sallust Palace
   • Hadrian’s Villa
   • Temple of Venus in Rome
   In his hometown, Apollodorus worked on building the western gate of the Temple of Jupiter.

In addition, he is credited with designing and building the Pantheon, which contains the largest concrete dome to this day.