Flying buttresses act the same way ancient Roman columns did, countering the horizontal force of the arch. They also provide for more ground area underneath: more worshippers could fit into a church ...

The prevailing style of architecture from about 1000 to 1150, Romanesque drew its influences from ancient Roman structures. “They used round arches and barrel vaults like the Romans did ...

However, when it comes to selecting the geometric pattern for rib placement, it usually boils down to the old favorites, such ...