THE COLOSSEUM

HISTORY OF THE COLOSSEUM it was originally called the Flavian amphitheatre after the family of Emperors who built it. it was originally called the Flavian amphitheatre after the family of Emperors who built it. the ‘Colosseum’ was named because of the colossal statue of Nero that stood nearby. the ‘Colosseum’ was named because of the colossal statue of Nero that stood nearby. it was built on the site of a drained lake from Nero’s private gardens. it was built on the site of a drained lake from Nero’s private gardens.

The Colosseum represents a characteristic of the Flavian dynasty restoring and maintaining support for the emperor by returning to the public areas in the heart of Rome that Nero had used for his own personal satisfaction.

STAGES OF BUILDING STAGES OF BUILDING 1. lake drained by Vespasian (founder of the Flavian dynasty). 2. Vespasian built the first two stories for VIP’s and the Imperial family. 3. Titus built two more stories including an area where the poor could stand. 4. Domitian finished it off with wooden seating for women and (possibly) the rooms and cells under the arena floor.

THE EXTERIOR

the top (fourth) story was decorated with Corinthian pilasters, windows and shields. the top (fourth) story was decorated with Corinthian pilasters, windows and shields. three tiers of arches were decorated with: three tiers of arches were decorated with: 1. Corinthian engaged half -columns. 2. Ionic, 3. Doric, 4. These columns bear no weight and serve no structural purpose. the arches on the second and third levels held statues but none survive. the arches on the second and third levels held statues but none survive. each level gets smaller as it goes higher (7.05m, 6.45m, then 6.4m) each level gets smaller as it goes higher (7.05m, 6.45m, then 6.4m)

the top storey had corbels which held masts for the awning used to shade the audience. the top storey had corbels which held masts for the awning used to shade the audience. this awning was called the Velarium and could be rolled out as needed. this awning was called the Velarium and could be rolled out as needed. ropes supporting the awning were attached to masts and then winches which were fixed to a row of bollards surrounding the building. ropes supporting the awning were attached to masts and then winches which were fixed to a row of bollards surrounding the building.

TAKING THE WEIGHT FROM ABOVE The problem of such a large structure being stable and supporting its own weight was solved by: 1. elliptical vaulted corridors could take a huge weight. 2. radial barrel vaults took the weight from above and distributed it along the archways. 3. further arches and vaults inside the structure lightened the weight. 4. the 37 degrees angle of the seating also lessened the weight.

The building materials were chosen for their strength and lightness: 1. upper seating made of wood. 2. concrete for the interior top two stories. 3. concrete faced brick where the pressure was greatest. 4. travertine for the outer wall. 5. only the lower seating areas were made of marble.

THE AUDITORIUM the auditorium was divided to allow smooth flow of spectators to their seats: the auditorium was divided to allow smooth flow of spectators to their seats: horizontally into four zones horizontally into four zones vertically by stairways and aisles. vertically by stairways and aisles. the problem of giving 50,000 spectators quick and orderly access to their seats was solved by: the problem of giving 50,000 spectators quick and orderly access to their seats was solved by: 1. giving a ticket with the number of the entrance way on the ground floor to be used to get them quickly to their seats. 2. corridors and stairways inside the structure allowing the public to move easily. encircling the main interior structure are vaulted walkways with 80 arched entrances leading out to it on ground level. 67 are numbered and this ensured the spectator could easily get to their own seat. encircling the main interior structure are vaulted walkways with 80 arched entrances leading out to it on ground level. 67 are numbered and this ensured the spectator could easily get to their own seat.

THE PODIUM the podium was the lowest level of seating. the podium was the lowest level of seating. on the podium sat the Emperor’s box which was entered through a triple archway. on the podium sat the Emperor’s box which was entered through a triple archway. directly opposite the Emperors box sat the Consuls box. directly opposite the Emperors box sat the Consuls box. it was reserved for distinguished spectators like: it was reserved for distinguished spectators like: Senators, Senators, knights, knights, Vestal virgins, Vestal virgins, members of the Imperial family. members of the Imperial family.

THE OTHER SEATS above the podium is the cavea where there are 36 more rows of seats. above the podium is the cavea where there are 36 more rows of seats. these remaining seats were filled with men with the least important men sitting in the top rows. these remaining seats were filled with men with the least important men sitting in the top rows. these seats are spilt into two sections: these seats are spilt into two sections: 1. the first was 20 rows of marble seats, 2. the second was about 16 rows. the sections were divided into wedges by steps and aisles that lead down from the internal passages (vomitoria). the sections were divided into wedges by steps and aisles that lead down from the internal passages (vomitoria). at the top on a wall above a colonnade were the wooden seats for the women. at the top on a wall above a colonnade were the wooden seats for the women. the last level was at the very top where there was standing room for about 5,000 of the poorer classes of Rome. the last level was at the very top where there was standing room for about 5,000 of the poorer classes of Rome.

THE ARENA the floor was 86m x 54m. the floor was 86m x 54m. the floor of the Colosseum was elliptical. the floor of the Colosseum was elliptical. the arena floor was covered with sand: the arena floor was covered with sand: sometimes coloured, sometimes coloured, helped to hide/soak up the blood, helped to hide/soak up the blood, easy to clean. easy to clean. a system of winches and pullies helped to get humans and animals up and onto the arena floor. a system of winches and pullies helped to get humans and animals up and onto the arena floor. there were huge hinged platforms which could make scenery 5m high appear and disappear below the floor. there were huge hinged platforms which could make scenery 5m high appear and disappear below the floor. the floor of the arena started 4m below the seating to protect the audience. the floor of the arena started 4m below the seating to protect the audience.

THE GLADIATORS the gladiators entered through one end of the arena the gladiators entered through one end of the arena the dead were dragged out of the opposite end called the Porta Libitinania. the dead were dragged out of the opposite end called the Porta Libitinania. Libitina was the Roman goddess of the dead. Libitina was the Roman goddess of the dead.

THE COLOSSEUM THE END