Apollodorus of Damascus

Apollodorus of Damascus (Ἀπολλόδωρος ὁ Δαμασκηνός) was an architect and engineer from Roman Syria, who flourished during the 2nd century AD. As an engineer he authored several technical treatises, and his massive architectural output gained him immense popularity during his time. 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.

Early life
Apollodorus was born in Damascus, Roman Syria. Sources refer to him as Nabatean,  and also refer to him as Greek. Little is known of his early life, but he started his career as a military engineer 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, and later accompanying him during the Second Dacian War in 105 AD.

Work
Apollodorus was Trajan's favoured architect and engineer.

In Rome he designed and oversaw the construction of:


 * Trajan's Forum and Markets
 * Temple of Trajan
 * Trajan's Column (the first monument of its kind)

Outside the capital, Apollodorus designed the:


 * Trajan's Bridge across the Danube
 * Alconétar Bridge over the Tagus in Spain
 * triumphal arch of Trajan at Benevento
 * Arch of Trajan at Ancona.
 * Trajan's Trophy near Adamclisi, Romania

He is the author of Siege Engines (Πολιορκητικά), dedicated to an unnamed emperor, likely Trajan.

Style
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." 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.

Death
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).