expolios

Expolios refers to the reuse of architectural elements from older structures in new constructions. This practice has been observed throughout history in various cultures and civilizations. Often, ancient buildings were dismantled, and their valuable materials, such as columns, statues, inscriptions, or decorative carvings, were incorporated into contemporary buildings. This was frequently done for economic reasons, as it was less expensive to salvage existing materials than to quarry and transport new ones.

The repurposing of spolia also carried symbolic and ideological weight. By incorporating elements from older, often prestigious, structures, builders could associate their new projects with the authority, history, or divine favor of the original source. This was particularly common during periods of political transition or conquest, where new rulers sought to legitimize their power by visually linking themselves to past glories. Examples can be found in the Roman Empire, where ancient temples were repurposed as churches, and in later periods, where medieval churches and castles frequently incorporated Romanesque and Gothic fragments. The study of expolios provides valuable insights into architectural history, economic practices, and the cultural and political ideologies of past societies.