Edit- After reading most of the comments the general consensus is listed below:
1. The unique composite matrix of the concrete used gives it a self-healing property. When cracks form in the concrete, it will naturally seal them.
2. The Pantheon was a very significant structure which led to meticulous maintenance and restorations
3. The Romans didn’t have modern engineering. So they didn’t know exactly how strong they’d have to build the Pantheon to make it last. Their solution was to overbuild the hell out of it.
4. Survivorship bias. There were thousands of buildings constructed by the Romans but very few remain which are the ones we marvel at.
​
In: 564
The high school built in my city back in 1890 is still standing, is beautiful, and is used as a courthouse today. It’s replacement, built in the 1970’s, was a farce of construction, and was demolished two years ago. But the builder still got paid for his shitty work, didn’t he? The new high school cost $150 million and will take 30 years for the homeowners in my city to pay off through increased taxes. I predict we will be having this exact same conversation in 30 years. Wanna bet? Modern capitalism doesn’t design or build for longevity. They build for profit. Nothing else. THIS is the American way.
Latest Answers