What Non-Roman Elements of Layout and Design Did Romans Adapt to Their?
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What non-Roman elements of layout and design did Romans adapt to their architecture of temples and sanctuaries?
layout and construction concepts were developed and influence from Greece architecture
Roman temple architecture was actually much closer to Etruscan temple architecture, which was in turn was probably influenced by the Greeks.
Roman temples, like Greek temples, were usually placed on a podium and have a colonnade. However, Greek temples are usually colonnaded on all four sides, while Roman temples are usually only colonnaded on the front (only one open end, where the entrance is). The other three sides are often decorated with engaged half-columns and fall along the edge of the podium. This was the typical layout of Etruscan temples. In Greek temples none of the walls were right along the edge of the podium. However, the idea of placing engaged half columns along the three remaining sides may have been influenced by the colonnades of Greek temples.
One element common to all three types is the cella, the main room where the cult statue(s) was kept. However, Greek temples usually had additional rooms at the front and back of the cella, whereas Roman temples usually did not.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule.