<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> Architecture portal </Li> </Ul> <Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The History of Roman and Byzantine domes traces the architecture of domes throughout the ancient Roman Empire and its medieval continuation, today called the Byzantine Empire . Domes were important architectural elements in both periods and had widespread influence on contemporary and later styles, from Russian and Ottoman architecture to the Italian Renaissance and modern revivals . The domes were customarily hemispherical, although octagonal and segmented shapes are also known, and they developed in form, use, and structure over the centuries . Early examples rested directly on the rotunda walls of round rooms and featured a central oculus for ventilation and light . Pendentives became common in the Byzantine period, provided support for domes over square spaces . </P>

Describe the examples of early christian and byzantine architecture you viewed