Apollodorus of Damascus

Apollodorus of Damascus (lived 2nd century ad), Greek architect. Apollodorus was one of the most famous architects of the ancient world. A Syrian Greek by birth, Apollodorus came to Rome at the invitation of the Roman emperor Trajan. Apollodorus's designs for buildings erected in Rome brought him great fame in his day. His greatest achievement was the Forum of Trajan (106-113). The forum was a monumental composition, combining an arched entrance, a court surrounded by colonnades, the multicolumned basilica (hall used for commerce or courts), and two library buildings flanking the colossal Trajan column. Apollodorus later added a large market area to the forum.

In his work, Apollodorus combined the principles of Hellenistic and Roman architectural styles with rare originality. In the public baths that he built in Rome he developed forms that influenced many later Western architects. Apollodorus later clashed with Trajan's successor, Emperor Hadrian, who was also an architectural designer. Hadrian resented Apollodorus's criticism of his plans for the Temple of Venus and Roma and ordered the architect’s exile and death. Apollodorus wrote the book Engines of War, which survives.