44. Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater)

 Colosseum (Flavin Amphitheater)

Rome, Italy. Imperial Roman. 70-80 C.E. Stone and concrete

The Colosseum is famous for it's human characteristics. It was built by the Romans in about the first century. It is made of tens of thousands of tons of a kind of marble called travertine.

http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/41/106741-004-E0EE8460.jpg https://simpleandinteresting.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/colosseum.jpg?w=645	Form: "amphitheater" two Greek theaters put together (facing each other) to create the oval-shaped amphitheater (stadium) Inner ring made from concrete required less skill, time, and money to quarry, transport, and build with concrete Romans were the first to master and employ the widespread use of concrete as a building material Outer ring (external wall) made from travertine (a limestone) Extensive use of vaults and the Roman arch could hold 50,000 to 80,000 spectators Dimensions: covered an area of 6 acres 50 meters high (187 feet) equivalent to a 12 story building 189 meters (615 feet) long 156 meters (510 feet) wide outer circumference of 545 meters (1,788 feet) the center arena measured 287' (feet long) by 180' (feet wide) construction began in 70 CE, lasted until 80 CE (completed in 10 years) very impressive feat considering its massive size and the fact that everything was constructed and transported individually, by hand. no modern machinery!
http://res.cloudinary.com/dk-find-out/image/upload/q_80,w_1440/187527_Colosseum_RT_ke2eim.jpg http://www.crystalinks.com/Colosseum_Rome.jpg https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/28/3d/5d/283d5d2c64ce3e99077ff6effafe76a3.jpg	Content: massive, ellipse/oval-shaped ring four main levels (can be thought of as registers!) levels 1-3 had evenly-spaced, arched windows around the entire circumference of the amphitheater level 4 had a solid exterior wall, no windows this, being the highest section of seating, would be where the lower classes would sit (slaves, foreigners, women) there would have been statuary figures in each window arch on levels 2 and 3, but not on level 1, because those arches served as doors that people would walk through to enter the amphitheater above the 4th level, the upper rim of the colosseum was lined with bronze shields/spears a glorious, dramatic, and impressive-looking decoration  could be considered a 5th 'register'? however, not a separate floor of seating, only an independent register in the visual sense flat stage filled with sand in center sand was to absorb blood and other bodily fluids from the fighting seats angled up from the stage in every direction (shallow funnel) the "hypogeum" the underground part of the Colosseum, which included animal pens, trapdoors, and a network of tunnels, was called the 'hypogeum' according to tribunesandtriumphs.org, "The hypogeum consisted of two-level subterranean network of tunnels and 32 animal pens. There were 80 vertical shafts provided instant access to the arena for animals and scenery. Large hinged platforms, called hegmata provided access for large animals" the "velarium" a retractable awning that would cover the arena to provide shade for spectators Three different orders of columns are used to support the arches Level 1 = Tuscan (similar to Doric, but even more simplistic, and specific to ancient Rome) Level 2 = Ionic Level 3 = Corinthian columns are sturdier, more basic at the bottom become more delicate, ornate higher up associated with femininity? women sat in the highest level of seating
https://environmentalgeography.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/097.jpg	Function: Public Entertainment (similar function as sports stadium) Romans came to watch gladiator fights, wild animal fights, mock naval battles, etc. violence and gore were popular sources of entertainment in ancient Rome
https://blenderartists.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=163985&d=1324215638 https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5037/5833318084_a6cb4956d2_b.jpg http://www.romeinsiderguide.com/images/test-name-colosseum.jpg	Context: Original name was Flavian Amphitheater named after the family/dynasty who paid for its construction Emperor Vespasian (r. 69-79 CE) was the first Emperor of the Flavian Dynasty "Colosseum" is just a nickname given later (in the Middle Ages?), because of the amphitheater's proximity to a colossal statue of the sun god. Vespasian built the amphitheater as a gift to the people of Rome, to win their favor back after the greedy, insane, unpopular Nero (previous Roman Emperor before Vespasian) Concept of Urban Planning unlike Greeks, who shaped their cities around the geography, Romans made the landscape work for them more aggressive builders power of man over nature also necessitated better engineering concrete! arches! their used to be a lake where the Flavian Amphitheater was built drained the lake because they wanted a building there much more similar to how we (in western, urban cities) approach urban planning now Focus on interior space shift from ancient Greek focus on exterior space best example is the Pergamon Roman Social Status/Citizenship Discrimination was not based on color of skin, but on citizenship If you were a Roman citizen, race didn't matter Rome was a very multi-ethnic empire If you were not a citizen (woman, slave, etc), you were virtually nothing Within the population of citizens, there were tiers to that hierarchy as well social mobility was difficult, but less so than in Ancient Greece people were seated in the amphitheater according to status upper-class patricians were seated closest to the stage, those of the lower class were seated farther up, and women, slaves, and foreigners were the farthest away from the action ("cheap seats" at the very top) Reflects Roman Order, Discipline, and Power POWs, slaves, and non-citizens (not women) could win their freedom/citizenship by becoming gladiators and fighting to victory This was such a dangerous risk that it often resulted in the gladiator's death before earning that freedom. Different from Ancient Greece, where it was virtually unheard of for someone to become a citizen citizenship rules in Roman Empire were similar to America's immigration/citizenship rules takes a long time and is difficult, but usually the second generation can earn citizenship if born in the Empire
	Cultural Comparison: progression from Greek theaters -> amphitheater -> modern stadium