The idea of the arch a very simple but important architectural structure is very old — the first arches were built around 4 000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia (now Iraq). Arches were also known to the Ancient Greeks but it was the Romans who first introduced arches across the world using them for many structures across the Roman Empire.

The Romans built arched viaducts and aqueducts doors and windows and lots of arches just for decoration. Arches are still being used today in homes shopping malls and just about everywhere — look around you and see how many arches you can spot!

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