Apollodorus of Damascus Tells Of How He Built Rome During the Pax Romana

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Hello, everyone. My name is Apollodorus of Damascus, and I was one of the most famous architects and engineers of ancient Rome. I wasn’t Roman by birth—I came from Damascus, in what is now modern-day Syria—but my designs helped shape some of the greatest monuments of the Roman Empire. I worked closely with Emperor Trajan, and my creations weren’t just buildings—they were statements of power, engineering, and beauty. Let me tell you my story.

I was born sometime in the first century AD, and from an early age, I was fascinated by geometry, design, and construction. Back then, architecture was more than just drawing pretty buildings—it was about solving real-world problems, like how to build massive structures that could hold weight, last centuries, and inspire awe. The Romans were already great builders, but I wanted to push their skills to the next level.

My big break came when I was asked to serve as the chief architect for Emperor Trajan, one of the most powerful rulers in Roman history. Trajan had big dreams—and he needed someone who could turn those dreams into stone, marble, and concrete. Together, we began some of the most ambitious building projects the empire had ever seen.

One of my greatest achievements was Trajan’s Forum, a massive public space in the heart of Rome filled with plazas, markets, statues, and government buildings. At its center stood Trajan’s Column, a tall, spiraling monument carved with scenes from Trajan’s victories in the Dacian Wars. I designed it not only to celebrate the emperor’s power, but to tell a story in stone—a story people could walk around and read from bottom to top.

But I wasn’t just about monuments. I also designed the Market of Trajan, which many people call the world’s first shopping mall, and I helped plan bridges, aqueducts, and roads that connected the empire. One of my most impressive feats was the Alcántara Bridge in Spain, a massive stone structure that still stands today. The Romans were all about building to last—and I made sure my work lived up to that standard.

Sadly, not everyone appreciated my talents. After Trajan died, his successor, Emperor Hadrian, took the throne. Hadrian was an amateur architect himself, and he didn’t like being outshone. According to some accounts, he banished me—and possibly even had me executed—because I criticized one of his designs. It was a rough end for someone who had given so much to Rome, but that’s how power worked in those days.

Even though I’m long gone, my legacy lives on. My designs influenced architecture for centuries, and some of my buildings still stand today. I didn’t just build structures—I built symbols of what humans can achieve with creativity, knowledge, and vision.

If there’s one lesson I want you to take from my story, it’s this: architecture is about more than buildings—it’s about shaping history. Never be afraid to dream big, even if the world doesn’t fully understand your vision yet. Thank you for listening.

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