tiles used for roofing were intended to be seen, however. roof-tiles were of distinctive shapes, the ' (pl. '), which was a large, thin tile, almost square, with upturned flanges on its longer sides, and the ' (pl. '), of slightly tapered half-cylindrical form. the imbrices, interlocking because of their tapered form, were laid over the raised flanges of the tegulae, and together formed the characteristic ridged tiled roof still to be seen in italy and southern france today. the pitch of such a roof has to be fairly low, not more than about 30 degrees. the roof was finished with a series of plain ridge-tiles, and often with decorative finials, which could also be of terracotta, at the gable.