Summary
Lothar Haselberger is the Morris Russell and Chidsey Williams Professor in Roman Architecture at Penn. His research interests are focused on the exploration of Greco-Roman Architecture in its practical and theoretical implications, from millimeter-refinements of ancient stone-carving to "macroscopic" aspects of urbanism, from the documentation of ancient construction drawings (focusing on the Temple of Apollo at Didyma, Turkey, and the Pantheon in Rome) to analyzing theories of design, visibility, and city building in the writings of Philo of Byzantium, Vitruvius, and others. Currently, he is specially interested in the modes and media in the ancient transmission of design, the changes and ruptures in that tradition, and the literal application of Vitruvian "design recipes" now tangible in major temples (Didyma temple; Augustus' Temple of Mars Ultor; Hadrian's Pantheon) and cities (Pergamon; Alexandria). He also directed the Mapping Augustan Romeproject with David Romano.
| Current Institution | University of Pennsylvania |
| Department | Art History |
| Disciplines | |
| Address | 3405 Woodland Walk Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104-6208 United States Phone: (215) 898 8375 |
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Technical University, Munich
Ph.D.,
Engineering
(1985)
Technical University, Munich
M.A.,
Architecture
(1972)
- University of Pennsylvania, College, School of Arts and Sciences: research grant for undergraduate project (1999)
Publication Summary
Books
- Mapping Augustan Rome, principal investigator and author. Portsmouth: Journal of Roman Archaeology, suppl. 50 (revised edition, 2008).
- Urbem adornare – Die Stadt Rom und ihre Gestaltumwandlung unter Augustus. Rome's 4 Urban Metamorphosis under Augustus (German, with English translation of main text by A. Thein), Portsmouth: Journal of Roman Archaeology, suppl. 66 (2007).
- Imaging Ancient Rome: Documentation – Visualization – Imagination. Third Williams Symposium on Classical Architecture; editor, together with John Humphrey. Portsmouth: Journal of Roman Archaeology, suppl. 61 (2006).
- Mapping Augustan Rome, principal investigator and author. Portsmouth: Journal of Roman Archaeology, suppl. 50 (2002).
Reviews:
- Times Literary Supplement, June 6th, 2003, 31-32 (G. Wolf)
- American Journal of Archaeology 108 (2004) 130-32 (D. Favro)
- Journal of Roman Studies 94 (2004) 183-90 (K. Brodersen)
- Göttinger Forum für Altertumswissenschaft 7 (2004) 1051-62 (A. Grüner)
- Appearance and Essence–Refinements of Classical Architecture: Curvature, Second Williams Symposium on Classical Architecture; editor and principal author.
- Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Museum (1999).
Reviews:
- Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians 60 (2001) 84-86 (M.M. Miles)
- American Journal of Archaeology 106 (2002) 492-94 (L.F. Ball) Revue Archéologique 2002, 298-99.
- Befestigte Turmgehöfte des Hellenismus (Fortified Country Estates of the Hellenistic Period), Ph.D. Dissertation (xerox publication), Technical University, Munich, 1985.
In Preparation:
- Mapping Alexandria in the Age of Augustus, principal investigator and author.
- Journal of Roman Archaeology, suppl. series.
- Designing Graeco-Roman Architecture. From Didyma to the Pantheon, 1980-2010; German version: Bauzeichnungen der Klassischen Antike – Neue Funde und Fragen, 1980–2010.
- The Best Way to Build a City – A Theory of Ancient City Planning according to Vitruvius; German version: Die beste Form der Stadt – Eine antike Theorie des Städtebaus nach Vitruv.
Catalogue, Dictionary, and Book Contributions
- "Bending the Truth: Curvature and Other Refinements at the Parthenon," in J. Neils (ed.), The Parthenon: From Antiquity to the Present. New York: Cambridge University Press (2005) 101-57.
- "Reinste Quellen – Der Apollontempel von Didyma und seine Bauzeichnungen" (Purest Sources– The Temple of Apollo at Didyma and its Construction Drawings), in Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (ed.), Archäologische Entdeckungen. Die Forschungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts im 20. Jahrhundert. Mainz: von Zabern (2000) 235-42 (invited co-author to represent one century of German archaeological research).
- The Roman Villa–Villa Suburbana. First Williams Symposium on Classical Architecture, editor, unnamed, for A. Frazer † (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Museum, 1997).
- "The Construction Plans for the Temple of Apollo at Didyma," Scientific American (ed.), The Origins of Technology. New York (1997) 72-80 (reprint).
- Reviving Vitruvius–A Catalogue of Editions at the University of Pennsylvania, catalogue,editor (Philadelphia: Eastern Shore Arts, Rock Hall, 1996).
- "Antike Planzeichnungen am Apollontempel von Didyma" (Ancient Construction Drawings at the Temple of Apollo at Didyma, 1985) and "Entzifferung eines antiken Werkplans" (Deciphering an Ancient Blueprint Drawing, 1995), in Spektrum der Wissenschaft (ed.), Frühe Stadtkulturen. Heidelberg (1997) 160-73, 174-82 (reprint).
- "Measurement"; "Module"; "Proportion" s.v. Greece, Ancient, in J. Turner (ed.), The Dictionary of Art. London: Macmillan / New York: Grove (1996) 410-13.
- "A Building Site Once Again: Phoenix' Rise or Swan's Last Song?" in R. Economakis (ed.), The Restoration of the Athenian Acropolis. London: Academy Editions (1995) 214-17.
- "Das 'Archilochoskapitell' von Paros" (The 'Capital of Archilochos' on Paros) and "Werkzeichnungen am Jüngeren Apollontempel von Didyma" (Construction Plans for the Temple of Apollo at Didyma), in H. Bankel (ed.), Haller von Hallerstein in Griechenland, exhibition catalogue. Berlin: Reimers (1986) 213-14.
- "Pläne von Plänen" (Drawing Plans of Plans), in W. Voigtländer (ed.), Didyma und Milet im Modell, exhibition catalogue. Frankfurt: Deutsches Architekturmuseum (1986) 38-47.
Articles(* refereed; European journals function with an internal review or jury system; invited conference contribution)
In Press:
- “The Pantheon: Nagging Questions to No End,” in G. Grasshoff et al. (eds.), The Pantheon in Rome. Contributions to the Conference, Bern, November 9-12, 2006 (2009) 171-86.
- “Exactly Corresponding: Virtuelle Spolien aus Athen in Philadelphia.
- Eine Fallstudie zur Architektur des Klassizismus,” in Th. Schattner (ed.), Spolien im Umkreis der Macht. Iberia Archaeologica, 2008.
- 2008 “Rediscovering the Architecture of Alexandria,” Journal of Roman Archaeology 21 (2008) 703-12 (long review of J. McKenzie, The Architecture of Alexandria and Egypt, 2007).
- 2003 "Debent habere gravitatem – Pyknostyle Säulenstellung und augusteische Tempelbaukunst" (Pycnostyle Colonnades and Augustan Architecture), Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Römische Abteilung 110 (2003), 285-331.
- 2000 "Imaging Augustan Rome," Journal of Roman Archaeology 13 (2000) 515-28 (long review of D. Favro, The Urban Image of Augustan Rome, 1996).
- 1999 "Geometrie der Winde, windige Geometrie: Städtebau nach Vitruv und Aristophanes" (Geometry of the Winds–Windy Geometry: Urban Planning in Vitruvius and Aristophanes), in Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (ed.), Stadt und Umland–Diskussionen zur Archäologischen Bauforschung 7. Mainz: von Zabern (1999) 90-100.6
- 1997 "Architectural Likenesses – Models and Plans of Architecture in Classical Antiquity," Journal of Roman Archaeology 10 (1997) 77-94;– translated as: "Semejanzas arquitectónicas – Maquetas y planos en la antigüedad clásica," in Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (ed.), Las casas del alma–Maquetas arquitectónicas de la antigüedad, exhibition catalogue. Barcel-ona: Ámbit Serveis (1997) 95-104.
- 1996 "Eine 'Krepis von 200 Fuß gestreckter Länge' – Bauarbeiten am Jüngeren Apollontempel von Didyma nach der Urkunde Nr. 42" (A 'krepis of 200 foot in straight lenght'–Construction Work for the Temple of Apollo at Didyma according to the Building Inscription no.42), Istanbuler Mitteilungen 46 (1996) 153-78.
- "Die Fronthalle des Pantheon – Ein Werkriß des Dachstuhls?" (The Pronaos of the Pantheon – An Ancient Plan for the Roof Construction?), in E.L.Schwandner (ed.), Säule und Gebälk–Diskussionen zur Archäologischen Bauforschung 6, Mainz: von Zabern (1996) 182-89.
- 1995 "Entzifferung eines antiken Werkplans," Spektrum der Wissenschaft (August 1995) 74-82; – translated as "Deciphering a Roman Blueprint," Scientific American (June 1995) 56-61.
- 1994 "Ein Giebelriß der Vorhalle des Pantheon – Die Werkrisse vor dem Augustusmausoleum" (A Construction Plan for the Pantheon Pediment–The Drawings at the Mausoleum of Augustus), Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Römische Abteilung 101 (1994) 279-307.
- "Antike Bauzeichnung des Pantheon entdeckt" (An Ancient Construction Plan for the Pantheon Discovered), Antike Welt (1994) 323-39.
- 1991 "Seilkurve oder Ellipse? Zur Herstellung antiker Kurvaturen nach dem Zeugnis der didymeischen Kurvenkonstruktion" (Catenary or Elliptic Curve? Creating Ancient Curvature as Attested by the Didymean Curve Construction) with H.Seybold contributing, Archäologischer Anzeiger (1991) 165-88.
- "Zur Herstellung antiker Kurvaturen–Konstruktion mit Seilkurve oder Kreisbogen?" (Creating Ancient Curvature: Catenary or Circular Construction?), Spektrum der Wissenschaft (August 1991) 22-26.
- "Aspekte der Bauzeichnungen von Didyma" (Aspects of the Ancient Plan Drawings at Didyma), Revue Archéologique (1991) 99-113.
- 1990 "Der Eustylos des Hermogenes. Zusammenfassung" (The Eustylos of Hermogenes. Summary), in W. Hoepfner and E.L. Schwandner (edd.), Hermogenes und die hochhellenistische Architektur. Mainz: von Zabern (1990) 81-83.
- 1989 "Die Zeichnungen in Vitruvs De architectura–Zur Illustration antiker Schriften über das Konstruktionswesen" (The Drawings in Vitruvius' De architectura–Illuminations in Ancient Treatises on Construction), Bulletin Antieke Beschaving Suppl.2. Leiden: Brill (1989) 69-70.
- 1985 "Antike Planzeichnungen am Apollontempel von Didyma," Spektrum der Wissenschaft (April 1985) 70-83;– translated as "The Construction Plans for the Temple of Apollo at Didyma," Scientific American (Dec. 1985) 126-32.
- 1984 "Die Werkzeichnung des Naiskos im Apollontempel von Didyma" (The Construction Plan for the Naiskos in the Temple of Apollo at Didyma) Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (ed.), 7 Bauplanung und Bautheorie–Diskussionen zur Archäologischen Bauforschung 4. Berlin: Wasmuth (1984) 111-19.
- 1983 "Bericht über die Arbeit am Jüngeren Apollontempel von Didyma–Zwischenbericht" (Work on the Temple of Didyma. Intermediate Report) Istanbuler Mitteilungen 33 (1983) 90-123.
- "Die Bauzeichnungen des Jüngeren Apollontempels von Didyma" (The Construction Plans for the Temple of Apollo at Didyma), architectura–Zeitschrift für Geschichte der Baukunst (1983) 13-26.
- 1980 "Werkzeichnungen am Jüngeren Didymeion–Vorbericht" (Ancient Construction Plans at Didyma. Preliminary Report), Istanbuler Mitteilungen 30 (1980) 191-215.
- 1979 "Befestigte Turmgehöfte im Hellenismus" (Fortified Country Estates of the Hellenistic Period) in: Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (ed.), Wohnungsbau im Altertum–Diskussionen zur Archäoogischen Bauforschung 3. Berlin: Wasmuth (1979) 147-51.
- "Dächer griechischer Wehrtürme" (Roofs of Greek Fortification Towers), Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Athenische Abteilung 94 (1979) 93-115.
- 1978 "Der Paläopyrgos von Naussa auf Paros" (The Paleopirgos of Naussa on Paros), Archäologischer Anzeiger (1978) 345-75.
- 1972 "Der Pyrgos Chimarru auf Naxos" (The Pirgos Chimarrou on Naxos), Archäologischer Anzeiger (1972) 431-37.
Book reviews
- J. McKenzie, The Architecture of Alexandria and Egypt (2007), Journal of Roman Archaeology 21 (2008), see above.
- D. Favro, The Urban Image of Augustan Rome (1996), Journal of Roman Archaeology 13 (2000), see above.
- W. Müller, Architekten in der Welt der Antike (1989), in Spektrum der Wissenschaft (Jan. 1992) 143-59.
- H. Dollhopf and K. Dornisch, Türkei–Griechische und Römische Ruinenlandschaften (1988), in Spektrum der Wissenschaft (May 1989)135-37.
Exhibitions, Tv Productions
- PBS (New York) series “History and Memory”: filmed interview, Nov. 2008.
- NOVA series, PBS (Circus Productions Ltd., London): TV contribution on “Secrets of the Parthenon”, premiering Jan. 29, 2008.
- History Channel, New York: TV contribution on “Ancient Greece and Engineering,” 2006.
- Greystone Communications, CA: TV report on the Pantheon and its identified construction plans, 1996.
- Independent Television (ITV) London, series "Historic Puzzles" (discovery channel): TV report on the "plan archive" at Didyma, 1995.
- Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) Vienna, series "Wissen Spezial": TV interview on the discovered ancient plan drawings at Didyma, 1989.
- Hallerstein-Gesellschaft, Munich, exhibition "Haller von Hallerstein in Griechenland" (Munich, Nuremberg, Berlin): special section on my measured drawings from Paros/Greece and Didyma, 1986.
- Deutsches Architekturmuseum, Frankfurt, exhibition "Didyma und Milet im Modell": special section on my measured drawings from Didyma, 1986.
- Bertelsmann Fachzeitschriften, Berlin, for Daidalos–Berlin Architectural Journal: largescale poster Antike Werkzeichnungen on Didyma drawings, 1984.
Books
Other Publications

