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Build Like a Roman

Build Like a Roman

Written by: Darren McLean
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Build Like a Roman is a podcast about how the Roman world was built.


Focusing on materials, craft, and construction, each episode explores the practical realities of Roman building — from stone, brick, and mortar to the organisation of labour and technical skill behind surviving structures.


Short, focused episodes introduce core building materials before diving deeper into how buildings were made, maintained, and understood in the Roman world.


For students of archaeology, history, and art history — and for anyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.

North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Roman buildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that's typically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these still exist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativity of the original builders.


There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics, history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Construction history, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who did the work!


From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Darren McLean Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Roman Metals: Iron, Bronze and Lead

    Roman Metals: Iron, Bronze and Lead
    Feb 18 2026

    Ep: 006 - Roman Metals: One Million Nails


    The Romans used a wide variety of metals, both ferrous and non-ferrous.


    Iron, lead, bronze, brass, tin and copper were all commonly used by the Romans.


    For structural connections, plumbing, door handles, decorative elements or any other practical use, in or for the home, the Romans had a solution!





    Roman Metal Terms: Latin → English
    • Ferrum → Iron
    • Plumbum → Lead
    • Stannum → Tin
    • Aes → Copper alloy (bronze or brass)
    • Cuprum → Copper
    • Cadmia → Zinc ore (used to make brass)
    • Argentum → Silver
    • Aurum → Gold
    • Clavus → Nail
    • Fibula → Fastener / clasp (sometimes a clamp)
    • Fistula → Pipe (usually lead)
    • Aes coronarium → Thin decorative bronze sheet
    • Aerugo → Verdigris (green corrosion on copper alloys)


    Note:

    The Romans did not separate “bronze” and “brass” the way we do today. Both were usually called aes — meaning copper alloy.

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    16 mins
  • Roman Timber: Roofs, Doors and Forgotten Walls

    Roman Timber: Roofs, Doors and Forgotten Walls
    Feb 12 2026
    Ep. 005 - Roman Timber: Roofs, Doors and Forgotten WallsThis episode is looks at the Romans use of timber, be it structural, joinery or temporary. Timber is somewhat of a forgotten material by most people who looking at Roman archaeology, mainly as there's so little of it left. This week we aim to give Roman timber, a little more of the limelight.Photos of this episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUq9pxzjeyO/☕ Buy Me a Coffee - https://ko-fi.com/buildlikearomanMateria: General term for timber (as opposed to lignum, which usually referred to firewood).• Abies: Fir. The primary wood for long-span roofing due to its straight grain and high strength-to-weight ratio.• Quercus: Oak. Valued for its density and used for "wet-work" or heavy load-bearing sills.• Larix: Larch. Highly prized for its natural resistance to fire and rot; often used in maritime or bridge engineering.• Contignatio: A timber floor or ceiling assembly. This refers to the entire system of joists and decking.• Tignum: A general term for a structural beam or log.• Trabs: A large main beam, typically horizontal, used to support secondary joists.• Statumen: The secondary layer of a floor; cross-battens or "stiffeners" laid over the main beams.• Scandula: A wooden shingle. Used for roofing before the widespread adoption of terracotta tiles (tegulae).• Opus Craticium: A timber-frame construction method. It involves a wooden lattice (wattle) filled with mortar or clay (daub). Oak (Quercus): The "Iron" of the Roman forest. Used for ground-contact sills and heavy-load lintels. Cato advises cutting oak only when the sap is down (winter) to prevent rot. Fir (Abies): The backbone of Roman roofs. Sourced from the Apennines. Vitruvius (De Architectura, Book 2.9) praises Fir for its lightness and stiffness, essential for long-span trusses. Larch (Larix): The "Fireproof" wood. Vitruvius notes its resistance to fire and rot, making it the premier choice for bridge pilings and high-moisture For students of archaeology, history, and art history — and foranyone interested in how ancient buildings actually came into being.North Africa and Western Asia are home to a multitude of Romanbuildings. Some still used on a daily basis, others in ruins, but that'stypically not the fault of the original builders. The fact that these stillexist at all after 2,000 years or more is a testament to skill and creativityof the original builders.There are some great Podcast which look at Roman politics,history, and architecture, however in this Podcast, we focus on Constructionhistory, that being building materials, techniques and and the people who didthe work!From structures to frescos, we'll cover it all!Hosted by Darren McLean.Buy me a CoffeeBlueskyInstagramFollow:AcastApplePatreonSpotifyMusic Happy harp 6109353 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    21 mins
  • Roman Lime, Mortar, and Concrete

    Roman Lime, Mortar, and Concrete
    Feb 7 2026

    Ep. 004 - Roman Mortar, Concrete and Their Famous Pozzolans


    In this episode, the Build Like A Roman Podcast episode looks at the Roman use of Lime mortars, Pozzolans, a volcanic ash which modified the nature of lime, and how they produced concrete.


    The focus on this episode is lime from calcium based limestone. We'll look at limes derived from Dolomitic and Magnesium in the future. There deserve their own episode, given the difference between them and calcium limes. For one, they need vastly extended slaking time compared to calcium to avoid post construction expansion and other problems.


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    Photos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUaWnF2DfeT





    The Episodes definitions:


    Opus signinum = Hydraulic flooring/render with crushed pottery in lime binder. Key in baths and water features; related to opus signinum.


    Opus Caementicium = Concrete (lime + aggregate)


    Binder – The cementitious component that coats and glues aggregate grains, hardening by chemical reaction and/or carbonation.

    Mortar – A plastic mix (binder + aggregate + water, sometimes additives) used for bedding and pointing masonry; hardens to a rigid, adhesive matrix.

    Plaster – As a noun, a finishing material for interior (and sometimes exterior) surfaces; as a verb, the act of applying a plaster/render coat.

    Stucco / Render – Historically imprecise. Can be lime-, gypsum- or cement‑based; composition and regional usage vary

    Lime - Non-hydraulic lime (Air lime): Produced by burning relatively pure limestones. Sets slowly by carbonation. Common in Europe, Middle East, and India until the late 19th century.

    Lime - Hydraulic lime (Water lime): Produced from impure limestones containing clay/silica. Hardens under water. Widely used in Roman and later European construction.

    Gypsum - Used for internal plasters and decorative finishes. Rapid setting but not durable in damp conditions.

    Portland Cement

    - Patented in 1824 (Joseph Aspdin, Leeds).

    - By late 19th century, became dominant due to strength and speed of setting.

    - Conservation issue: often too rigid and dense compared to historic lime mortars, leading to damage in traditional masonry.

    Sands

    - Siliceous sands: durable, sharp, but chemically inert.

    - Calcareous sands: softer, more chemically compatible with lime binders, but less durable.

    - Volcanic sands: reactive, good pozzolanic properties.

    Plasticity – Ability to undergo permanent deformation without cracking

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    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
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