Final answer:
True, arches can be supported by cylindrical columns or rectangular piers. This principle is evident in Roman and Romanesque architecture, where the alternation of these supports in buildings like churches and castles provided architectural stability and aesthetic variety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that arches can rest on cylindrical columns or rectangular piers is True. In the realm of architecture, particularly that inspired by Roman and Romanesque traditions, the flexibility in using different structural supports for arches is well documented. Architects crafted true arches using wedge-shaped stones known as voussoirs capped with a keystone. These arches could indeed be supported by either cylindrical columns or rectangular piers that provided the necessary stability and weight distribution. For example, in Romanesque churches, a common structural design was to have an arcade at ground level consisting of robust piers or columns to support the weight of the vault above.
The alternation of piers and columns became a characteristic feature in such buildings, with the piers sometimes being filled with rubble rather than solid stone for practicality. Moreover, cylindrical piers often carried decorative elements and were used in conjunction with columns, as observed by the alternating pattern seen in some historical churches. This structural combination facilitated the creation of larger, more stable buildings capable of supporting heavier roofs or multiple-level vaults.