<P> In its initial stages, the ancient Roman architecture reflected elements of architectural styles of the Etruscans and the Greeks . Over a period of time, the style was modified in tune with their urban requirements, and civil engineering and building construction technology became developed and refined . The Roman concrete has remained a riddle, and even after more than two thousand years some ancient Roman structures still stand magnificently, like the Pantheon (with one of the largest single span domes in the world) located in the business district of today's Rome . </P> <P> The architectural style of the capital city of ancient Rome was emulated by other urban centers under Roman control and influence, like the Verona Arena, Verona, Italy; Arch of Hadrian, Athens, Greece; Temple of Hadrian, Ephesos, Turkey; a Theatre at Orange, France; and at several other locations, for example, Lepcis Magna, located in Libya . Roman cities were well planned, efficiently managed and neatly maintained . Palaces, private dwellings and villas, were elaborately designed and town planning was comprehensive with provisions for different activities by the urban resident population, and for countless migratory population of travelers, traders and visitors passing through their cities . Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, a 1st - century BCE Roman architect's treatise "De architectura," with various sections, dealing with urban planning, building materials, temple construction, public and private buildings, and hydraulics, remained a classic text until the Renaissance . </P> <P> The ancient city of Rome had a place called the Campus, a sort of drill ground for Roman soldiers, which was located near the Tiber river . Later, the Campus became Rome's track and field playground, which even Julius Caesar and Augustus were said to have frequented . Imitating the Campus in Rome, similar grounds were developed in several other urban centers and military settlements . </P> <P> In the campus, the youth assembled to play, exercise, and indulge in appropriate sports, which included jumping, wrestling, boxing and racing . Riding, throwing, and swimming were also preferred physical activities . In the countryside, pastimes also included fishing and hunting . Females did not participate in these activities . Ball playing was a popular sport and ancient Romans had several ball games, which included Handball (Expulsim Ludere), field hockey, catch, and some form of Football . </P>

Describe the culture setting in which rome developed