The Colosseum, Rome

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Pillar 1
Rachel Pillar
Mr. Steven N. Rugare
Architectural History I
November 6, 2017
The Colosseum, Rome The Roman Colosseum is one of the largest amphitheaters ever built. It was once known as the Flavian Amphitheatre and is now an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. It is made of concrete and sand and is located in Rome, Italy. The location of the Colosseum is very significant. It was built on the same site where Nero’s Golden House once stood, which is also considered the heart of the city of Rome. The construction of this building began in 72 AD under Emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Vespasian’s son, Titus. It was originally built as a gift to the Roman people, but was used for many things like executions, gladiator …show more content…

It discusses the facade of the Roman Colosseum in a similar way as Bomgardner did in his book. According to Scientific American the, “immense outer wall consisted of four stories, of which three were of Vespasian's structure, and the fourth, a loftier and very different one, represented Gordian's addition” (Scientific American 2). “The lowest level next the arena was known ail the podium, and was protected from the animals by a low wall, and was reserved for the emperor, consuls, and other distinguished personages” (Scientific American 2). The next level up was the momianum which were seats for the equestrian order. The upper level was for those for the populace as well as women (Scientific American …show more content…

The website, Wikipedia.org published an article about the Colosseum. It discusses the history, appearance, and significance of the amphitheatre and also talks about the facade of the Colosseum as did the above sources. According to Wikipedia, “the surviving part of the outer wall's monumental façade comprises three stories of superimposed arcades surmounted by a podium on which stands a tall attic, both of which are pierced by windows interspersed at regular intervals” (wikipedia.org). The arches on the second and third floor arcades framed statues in which may have honored divinities and other figures pertaining to Classical mythology (wikipedia.org). There were 240 mast corbels arranged around the top of the attic that originally supported the velarium (wikipedia.org). All 80 entrances along with the exits and staircases were numbered like a lot of arenas today to ensure fast and easy entry for the spectators. The four exits in which were used for the Emperor and other elite people were decorated with painted stucco reliefs. Those stucco reliefs as well as entrances XXII to LIV still stand today

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