colosseum Functional architecture Paul Artus p 37 Workbooks

colosseum Functional architecture Paul Artus p. 37 Workbooks p. 38

Workbooks p. 38 Location: Rome Architectural type: functional. Amphitheatre, largest of all. Purposes: Colosseum was built as a mass entertainment venue. It often held gladiator fights & wild animal hunts. There is a performance area and a seating area for spectators. It provided excellent propogranda for the Emperor Vespasian. (Vespasian wanted to restore popular support by returning public land that had been taken by Nero). Ø Dates of construction: (Built between 70 -80 AD )Built by Emperor’s of the Flavian Dynasty. The building had reached the top of the 2 nd level when Vespasian died in 79 AD. His son Titus added the 3 rd and 4 th levels and celebrated the dedication of the enlardged stucture in AD 80. Further minor additions were made by Titus’ brother, Domitian. Ø History of the site: Vespasian built the colosseum in the grounds of Nero’s Golden House. This was a clever move because Nero had taken land after the fire in Rome. He had built an artificial lake. Now Vespasian was returning to the Roman people land that Nero had taken for his own pleasure. Vespasian was a humble man who sympathised with his Ø Ø Ø

Origin of name and variations: The colossuem was originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre (Amphitheatrum Flavian), after the Emperor’s who built it. It was not called the colosseum until the Medieval period, and was perhaps named this because of the large statue of Nero next to it. This statue was later changed to represent the sun god, Apollo Ø Dimensions and attendance figures: Arena 86 x 54 m – oval shape. Ground floor arches were 7. 05 m high the 2 nd level 6. 45 m and 3 rd 6. 40 m high Could take 50, 000 people Ø

Drainage of the site had to be arranged before any construction could begin Ø The natural flow of water through the excavated hollow was useful for staging mock sea battles in the arena Ø The structure goes down 6. 08 m to a brick pavement. It has been excavated to reveal the remains of dens for wild beasts & other features Ø Excavated site

construction (workbooks p. 39) The workers had to drain the Stagnum which Emperor Nero had flooded prior. After the Stagnum was emptied, they had to lay down the foundation. From there they added many levels and built an amazing system beneath the floor where the warriors battle on. Beneath it Was a massive system of pulley’s, levers, ropes, bridge etc. Their Purpose was not only do the warriors fight each other they were forced To fight animals such as tigers and elephants. Ø The floor of the arena itself was made of wood, covered with sand for gladitorial combats & wild beast fights Ø It is elliptical (86 m x 54 m) Ø

For the spectator’s protection against the wild beast attacks, a fence surrounded the fighting area Ø Behind this and on a platform about 4 m above the arena was the podium for distinguised spectators (usually city officials) Ø Above this was the cavea, where most of the seating was placed, consisting of 2 main sections – one of 20 rows of marble seats - One of 16 rows (the tall vaults behind supported the upper level Ø These sections were divided into wedges by steps and aisles that led down from the internal passages (vomitoria). A wall rose up 5 m behind the upper section and was pierced by windows and doors that linked to a corridor behind – on this wall was a colonnade with seats for women behind Ø On the roof of this area was standing room for 5, 000 of the poorest classes. Ø

What groups in Roman society could view games held in the colosseum and where did they sit? Ø The emperor had an arena – which he entered through a triple archway on the north side. The consuls sat in a box directly opposite to which they also gained access through a triple entrance way, on the south side. Women were only allowed in the top storey of the amphitheatre. Exceptions to this rule were female members of the ruling family and the vestal virgins who sat by the ringside. p. 40 workbooks

Terms: Flavian – emperor’s Vespasian, Titus and Domitian, (from the Flavian Dynasty) Ø Cavea – Auditorium – the tierd seating area Ø Vomitoria – the passage ways into theatre Ø Travertine –the type of marble used for construction Ø

One problem associated with the architecture was how to build a structure capable of supporting its own weight & 50, 00 spectators. Ø The architect made extensive use of arch and vault: Ø To lighten the load Ø To spread the strain Ø And chose his building materials based on their strength Ø The stepped seating was 37 degree angle essential to lessen the weight Ø Deep concrete Foundations: 52 m wide 12 m deep Ø

Length of external axis: 188 m Capacity: 50, 000 Shape: elliptical Function of columns: decorative 3 ways in which the structure was imperial propaganda: 1) Its huge size – largest amphitheatre ever built 2) Returning land taken by Nero – made Vespasian more popular 3) Made the people feel better and more important with grand-scale entertainment Ø Ø Workbooks p. 41

In the picture you can see how the Velarium looks when it is Closed with just a hole in the middle for sunlight. What was the role of the Velarium (workbooks p. 44)? It was a huge canvas awning that could be rolled into place above the seating area. It was put in to shield the harmful rays of the hot Mediterranean sun. It was fastened to a series of poles that ran around the exterior rim of the top storey. 100 sailors from Misenum were employed to erect the awning and to maintain the yards of rigging that was involved, to ensure it worked correctly.

Ø What was done to ensure that there was ease of access for spectators to their seats? 76 out of a total of 80 arches served as the chief entrances and exits. Wooden barriers were set up to funnel the spectators in an orderly manner. There was a number engraved above each external arch. People had wooden tickets with the number of the entrance they were meant to go in. There were 4 arches at each axis that were not numbered. The two on the north and south were for the imperial family

Materials used: Ø travertine pavement 17. 05 m wide. Travertine was also used for the piers on the 1 st 2 levels. Ø Above the 2 nd floor concrete was used, with brick facing, where there was more intense pressure Ø The fact that the structure exists today, underlines the stability of the original design & materials. Ø The exterior is decorated with a façade of engaged columns & pilasters that serve no structural purpose but that display the use of the old Greek architectural orders – the half columns of the 1 st 3 levels from the ground floor up are: Ø Doric Ø Ionic Ø Corinthian Ø The top storey has Ø corinthian pilasters

Ø Statues stood originally in the arches of the 2 nd and 3 rd levels- but have not survived.

Colosseum at night