Final answer:
The use of pilasters and engaged columns in Roman architecture, borrowed from Greek designs, facilitated greater architectural diversity and introduction of space. They provided both structural support and decorative complexity, allowing for larger buildings with more intricate facades compared to the simpler Greek post-and-lintel system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of pilasters and engaged columns represented a significant shift from the principles of Greek architecture. While Greek buildings primarily utilized the post-and-lintel construction system, which limited the span of spaces and the weight that could be carried, the introduction of engaged columns and pilasters allowed for greater architectural innovation and differentiation of space. Specifically, these elements helped to articulate the interior space by adding depth and complexity to the wall surfaces, thereby breaking up the monotony of the straight lines often found in Greek temple architecture. Roman architecture, which borrowed heavily from Greek principles, saw an innovative use of these features. The Romans used engaged columns that were attached to the walls, serving both structural and decorative purposes. These columns provided the appearance of a classical temple colonnade, but without the free-standing arrangement of columns. This adaptation reflected the Roman approach to architecture, which favored grandeur and space definition. Pilasters, flat, rectangular vertical columns that project from a wall, were a related innovation. Including engaged columns and pilasters gave architects the flexibility to create varied and dynamic facades, enhance the illusion of depth, and support the weight of larger roofs and domes, thus altering the approach to architectural design inherited from the Greeks. These elements also played a role in the development of the Roman arch, vault, and dome, further distinguishing Roman architecture from its Greek predecessor.