Apollodorus of Damascus (Ancient Greek: Ἀπολλόδωρος ὁ Δαμασκηνός)[1] was an architect and engineer from Roman Syria, who flourished during the 2nd century AD.[2][3][4] As an engineer he authored several technical treatises, and his massive architectural output gained him immense popularity during his time.[5] He is one of the few architects whose name survives from antiquity, and is credited with introducing several Eastern innovations to the Roman Imperial style, such as making the dome a standard. He is also known as Apollodorus Mechanicus.
Apollodorus of Damascus
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Apollodorus of Damascus, bust from 130/140 AD in the Glyptothek
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| Occupation | Architect |
| Buildings | Basilica Ulpia, Trajan's Forum, Temple of Trajan, The Pantheon |
Apollodorus was born in Damascus, Roman Syria. Sources refer to him as ethnically Nabatean,[6][7] although other sources refer to him as Greek.[8][9] Little is known of his early life, but he started his career as a military engineer[10] before meeting future emperor Trajan in Damascus, then being summoned to Rome by him when he was a consul in 91 AD, after his twentieth birthday,[11] and later accompanying him during the Second Dacian War in 105 AD.[12]
Apollodorus was Trajan's favoured architect and engineer.
In Rome he designed and oversaw the construction of:
Outside the capital, Apollodorus designed the:
He is the author of Siege Engines (Πολιορκητικά), dedicated to an unnamed emperor, likely Trajan.[13]
Fiorella Festa Farina, Director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Damascus, described the technical prowess of Apollodorus as stemming from his cultural roots and the architectural tradition of Syria, modes of thought."[sentence fragment][15] He was known for his practical and robust designs. It was likely due to his influence that domes became a standard element in Roman architecture.[16]
Cassius Dio reports that Apollodorus offended Hadrian by dismissing and ridiculing the emperor's forays into architecture, which led to his banishment and death (although doubts have been raised concerning the veracity of Dio's claim).[17]
...focusing on the brilliant architect Apollodorus of Damascus. This famous Syrian personage represents...
He had Syrian origins coming from Damascus
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Apollodorus". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 2 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 186.
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