Roman Architecture

- Lucius Cocceius Auctus

- Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

- Lucius Vitruvius Cordo

Architects

Characteristics

- Interest in public works and engineering- Practical- Monumental- Great technical advances- Colossal to show Roman power- Commemorative

Building Systems

Vaults and Arches Use of domes

Strong walls (so that they do not use external supports)

Structures and Buildings

Basilicas

Baths

Amphitheaters

Triumphal arches

Residence

Roman Temples

Forts

Roman TownsRoman Towns

Aqueducts

• Roads northern neighbors during the Roman Kingdom

• Toilets and aqueduct technology North Africans

• Religion Greeks• Christianity Judeans• Military dress Gauls• Art and education Greeks + Etruscans• Novels Greek

Master "stealers"

Sculptures

Order

Tuscan

Composite

Concrete

Architectural Priorities of

ANCIENT

Name• The Colosseum's original Latin name was

Amphitheatrum Flavium “Flavian Amphitheater ", derived from both Vespasian's and Titus's family name.

• The name Colosseum has long been believed to be derived from a colossal statue of Nero nearby.

History• The construction started under the emperor Vespasian 70

and 72 AD

• Completed 80 AD under Titus

• Further modifications during Domitian's reign 81–96.

• The labor force needed to build it was about 20,000 – 30,000 slaves, engineers, skilled, and semiskilled craftsmen.

• The architect of the colosseum is unknown.

• The popularity of the emperors was judged by the success of their games.

• About 500,000 people and over a million wild animals died in the Colosseum games.

• Severe damage was inflicted on the Colosseum by the great earthquake in 1349, causing the outer south side to collapse.

Site

• The site chosen was a flat area on the floor of a low valley between the Caelian, Esquiline and Palatine Hills and it is located just east of the Roman Forum.

Physical Descriptions

• It’s elliptical in plan

• Height: 150 -156 ft. or roughly four stories tall.

• Length: 620 ft.

• Width: 513 ft.

• A series of arches help to distribute the Colosseum’s massive weight.

• At ground level, 80 arches act as entrances, 76 of which were used by ordinary spectators, numbered to match visitors’ tickets.

Statues

• Metal & marble statues of roman gods, goddesses, emperors, popular heroes, and famous athletes lined the Colosseum’s 1st and 2nd floors

Building Blocks

• A framework of columns was made from a limestone called travertine.

• On the top floors, walls of brick or concrete joined the columns.

• On the lower floors, a local volcanic stone called tufa provides the filler.

• Ceilings are made from a light volcanic stone called pumice.

Columns

• Columns range from simple to heavy Doric columns on the lower floor.

• Ionic columns on the 1st floor.

• Corinthian columns on the 2nd floor.

• Columns with Corinthian pilasters.

Awning Masts• 240 wooden masts hold the cables that

control the Colosseum’s canvas awnings used to shade spectators from Rome’s hot sun.

Interior Seating

PodiumEmperor’s Box

• The emperor and his suite sit in the marble podium.

• Spectators can bring their own seats to this area.

• An iron fence is thought to have protected this level of seats from wild animals in the arena.

Elite Section• 20 rows of marble

seats are available for prestigious, wealthy male

citizens.

Secondary Section

• 16 rows of marble seats were available for middle class male citizens.

Women Only• This tier is designed to protect female

spectators from the Colosseum’s noisy and boisterous crowds.

• Seats are made of wood.

Top Gallery• Those wooden terrace has standing

room for slaves, foreigners, and the poor- those who do not have tickets to the Colosseum.

Seats• Seats are made of marble and inscribed

with a number.• A line divides each seat from its neighbor.

Passageways• A passageway separates the stands.• Interior stairways let you move to your correct

section.

Arena• Arena floor size: 287 ft long- 180 ft wide.

• It’s a wooden floor covered with sand.

• Parts of the floor can be lowered and raised to introduce scenery or animals into the arena.

Hypogeum• It consisted of a two-level subterranean network of

tunnels and cages beneath the arena where gladiators and animals were held before contests began.

• Eighty vertical shafts provided instant access to the arena for caged animals and scenery pieces concealed underneath.