Greek and Roman Architecture

This book provides a brief, clear account of the main developments in the history of the Greek, Etruscan and Roman architecture, from the earliest times to the foundation of Constantinople. It contains 135 drawings and 24 plates. Professor Robertson has produced a really great handbook; one that has become the standard general work, in English, or perhaps in any language, on its subject. It has not only accuracy, attention to detail and scholarship - these qualities we would expect - it has clarity, breadth of treatment and what can be called architectural soundness.

Table of Contents:
Preface to first edition; Preface to second edition; List of illustrations; 1. Sources of knowledge, materials and methods; 2. Minoan Crete, Troy, and pre-Mycenaean Greece; 3. Mycenaean Greece and Homeric architecture; 5. The Dark Ages: technical terms; 5. The earliest doric and its timber prototypes; 6. Sixth-century doric; 7. Archaic ionic; 8. Fifth-century doric, to the outbreak of the Peloponesian War; 9. Ionic in the fifth century, and doric and corinthian in the late fifth and fourth; 10. Fourth-century and Hellenistic ionic, and Hellenistic doric and Corinthian; 11. Greek theatres and other buildings not temples or private houses; 12. Greek and Roman town-planning; 13. Temple architecture of the Roman republic; 14. Temple architecture of the Roman empire; 15. Roman construction; 16. Basilicas, theatres, amphitheatres, and other Roman monuments; 17. Greek and Roman houses and palaces; Appendix; General index.

Review :
'Professor Robertson's Handbook gives a clear and balanced presentation of the whole course of development of Classical Architecture and the footnotes and bibliography supply the key to a more specialised study of the subject. The condensation of such a vast mass of material into intelligible form and the convenient compass of one volume is a remarkable achievement for which the student cannot be too grateful.' Journal of Roman Studies 'Its outstanding merit is that in the compass of merely four hundred pages there can hardly be a Greek or Roman building of any importance that does not obtain mention, and not mere mention, but mention for the characteristic or illuminating feature ... The book thus not only treats the main features of its subject in an admirably clear manner, but will serve as a work of reference, and thus wins among its fellows the high status of a Baedeker.' Journal of Hellenic Studies 'Professor Robertson provides a sound standard handbook of Greek and Roman architecture, dealing with its successive phases from dim prehistoric times ... The book may be unreservedly recommended.' The Times Literary Supplement 'Professor Robertson has produced a really great handbook and one which promises to become the standard general work, in English, or perhaps in any language, on its subject. It has not only accuracy, attention to detail and sholarship - these qualities we would expect - it has clarity, breadth or treatment and what can be called architectural soundness.' Cambridge Review