<P> Marble is not found especially close to Rome , and was only rarely used there before Augustus , who famously boasted that he had found Rome made of brick and left it made of marble , though this was mainly as a facing for brick or concrete . The Temple of Hercules Victor of the late 2nd century BC is the earliest surviving exception in Rome . From Augustus ' reign the quarries at Carrara were extensively developed for the capital , and other sources around the empire exploited , especially the prestigious Greek marbles like Parian . Travertine limestone was found much closer , around Tivoli , and was used from the end of the Republic ; the Colosseum is mainly built of this stone , which has good load - bearing capacity , with a brick core . Other more or less local stones were used around the empire . </P>
<P> Marble is not found especially close to Rome , and was only rarely used there before Augustus , who famously boasted that he had found Rome made of brick and left it made of marble , though this was mainly as a facing for brick or concrete . The Temple of Hercules Victor of the late 2nd century BC is the earliest surviving exception in Rome . From Augustus ' reign the quarries at Carrara were extensively developed for the capital , and other sources around the empire exploited , especially the prestigious Greek marbles like Parian . Travertine limestone was found much closer , around Tivoli , and was used from the end of the Republic ; the Colosseum is mainly built of this stone , which has good load - bearing capacity , with a brick core . Other more or less local stones were used around the empire . </P>
what type of stone did the romans use
what type of stone did the romans use
Marble Travertine limestone Other more or less local stones
Marble Travertine limestone Other more or less local stones