The painted red strip around the outside of Roman Buildings

[BigRedBat]

I'm curious about this, and wonder when the Romans started to paint it on, and when they ceased.

Also

Why did they do it?
What the paint was made of?
Did they paint it on country buildings such as villas, or just buildings in towns?

I also wonder whether contemporary buildings in Egypt or Greece might have been coloured in the same or a different way.

Thanks,