The arch is one of the most important architectural innovations in history, and while its basic concept may have existed in early civilizations, it was the Etruscans and, later, the Romans who perfected and popularized its use. This seemingly simple curved structure revolutionized architecture, as it allowed for stronger, more durable buildings and paved the way for monumental structures that still stand today.

The earliest known arches date back to Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations, but they were primarily decorative or used in small-scale applications. In fact, it was the Etruscans, the ancient inhabitants of central Italy, who first mastered the true structural potential of the arch: they used voussoirs (wedge-shaped stones) to create strong, stable curves, primarily in city gates and bridges.