Quote by Harry Seidler
The Romans were not inventors of the supporting arch, but its extended use in vaults and intersecting barrel shapes and domes is theirs.
Summary
This quote challenges the commonly held belief that the Romans were the inventors of the arch, highlighting that they were not the first civilization to use this structural element for support. However, the quote acknowledges the Romans' significant contribution in expanding the use of the arch, particularly in complex architectural forms such as vaults, intersecting barrel shapes, and domes. This suggests that while the Romans may not have invented the arch, they were instrumental in advancing its widespread application and pushing the boundaries of architectural design.