Opus isodomum

Opus isodomum ("work of equal height") is an ancient technique of wall construction with ashlars.

It uses perfectly cut, completely regular squared stone blocks of equal height, and sometimes of the same length.

opus, work + isodomum, analogous to isodomon, where iso- = equal In classical antiquity this technique was perfected and widely used, especially for public buildings (temples, theatres, amphitheatres, etc.).

[1] Vitruvius briefly described this technique in his De architectura, 2nd book, 8th chapter as following: "A wall is called 'isodomum' when all the courses are of equal height".

Vitruvius considered both types of wall construction as Greek, emphasizing that "both kinds are strong".

Opus isodomum on the back face of the Temple of Augustus, Pula , 1st century BC