The Colosseum

 

The Colosseum, Rome, AD 72-80, Tufa and Concrete faced with Travertine

This week, I chose to write about the Colosseum in Rome. The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is a famous Roman structure whose building was initiated by the much-beloved Roman emperor, Vespasian. After the cruel, and egotistical, rule of Nero, Vespasian decided to give back to his people. Vespasian decided that the land under the extravagant and selfish golden house of Nero should be given back to the people in a grand gesture. The building of the monumental arena and amphitheater made it the grandest amphitheater anywhere in the world. Its events included mock sea battles, wild beast hunts, and gladiator games (ironically, where a great tyrant once stood). The varying types of entertainment served to entertain the people. The architects built doors at the inner ends of the Colosseum to allow both gladiators and wild beasts to enter and exit the arena safely. They also built elaborate passageways below the arena for these purposes as well. It was important to keep the animals secure and the civilians safe.

The Colosseum was built with concrete, tufa, and travertine. The concrete mixed with tufa created the majority of the interior while the more picturesque travertine, limestone, composed the exterior as well as the Colosseum’s main piers. It’s rounded and open shape enhanced the sound of the amphitheater. The steep seating arrangement of the Colosseum allowed for around 50,000 people to convene, safely, to enjoy the entertainment provided at the Colosseum. The Colosseum was built with 80 exits to simplify the exiting process during events as well as in case of an emergency. The radial and circular passageways, as well as the staircases to the upper-level blocks of the colosseum, provided efficient circulation within the structure. A velarium, an awning, was constructed to cover most of the seating in the Colosseum to protect people from rain showers and sun. The velarium was attached by supportive poles that were inserted into holes on the encircling wall of the stadium. Canvas, or similar material, was used to create the awning which contained an oculus to provide the audience with both light and air.

The structure of the Colosseum is made up of a groin vault containing 80 arches on the first three levels. The fourth level serves as an attic, containing Corinthian pilasters which frame bays and alternate between windows. The natural light brought into the Colosseum by the combination of arches, windows, and the open forum is unique and was intricately thought out. By using the arches, the architects allowed themselves the ability to design an architecturally sound open space. The arches provided strength and support while allowing more space and less bulk. Deep foundations were set to support the structure and the blocks of the Colosseum were ready cut. The exterior of the Colosseum is decorated with Doric columns on the first level, Ionic columns on the second level, and Corinthian columns on the third level. The fourth level used Corinthian pilasters which linked both Greek and Roman decorative traditions. The Colosseum expressed the true passion and obligation that Vespasian felt toward his people. That he, instead of using Nero’s Golden House for himself or higher status purposes, decided to give back the land to the people and, as if an additional apology for Nero’s recklessness, built the Colosseum for them as well. The Colosseum is important to the Romans and their art mainly because the competitions and events were prominent scenes and subjects within their art. 

Cartwright, Mark, and Mark Cartwright. "Colosseum". Ancient History Encyclopedia, 2018, https://www.ancient.eu/Colosseum/. Accessed 12 September 2020.

Diego Gutierrez, Bernard Frischer, Eva Cerezo, Ana Gomez, Francisco Seron, “AI and virtual crowds: Populating the Colosseum.”Journal of Cultural Heritage, Volume 8, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 176-185, ISSN 1296-2074, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2007.01.007. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1296207407000453 

Goldman, Norma. “Reconstructing the Roman Colosseum Awning.” Archaeology, vol. 35, no. 2, 1982, pp. 57–65. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/41727858.