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    HOA-1_COLOSSEUM (1)

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    Afnan Aziz
    The Colosseum is a large building.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    HOA-1_COLOSSEUM (1)

    Uploaded by

    Afnan Aziz
    2 views1 page
    The Colosseum is a large building.

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

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    The Colosseum is a large building.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    2 views1 page

    HOA-1_COLOSSEUM (1)

    Uploaded by

    Afnan Aziz
    The Colosseum is a large building.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 1

    COLOSSEUM

    The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is one of ancient Rome’s most iconic architectural achievements.
    Built between AD 70–80 under the emperors Vespasian and his son Titus, this massive structure could hold up to 50,000
    spectators and was designed for gladiatorial contests, public spectacles, and other forms of entertainment.
    Engineering and Materials:

    1. Concrete and Stone: The Romans used a combination of travertine stone, tuff, and Roman concrete, showcasing advanced techniques in materials for the time. The
    base of the Colosseum was constructed from strong travertine, which provided a solid foundation.
    2. Vaulting System: The Romans used a series of arches and vaults to create a stable structure that could support immense loads. The Colosseum features barrel
    vaults (a continuous series of arches) and groin vaults (intersecting barrel vaults), which allowed for a multi-tiered seating arrangement and large interior spaces.

    Innovative Design:

    1. Elliptical Shape: The elliptical design helped spectators have a good view of the arena from any seat. This shape also distributed weight effectively, helping to
    support the massive structure.
    2. Multi-Level Structure: The Colosseum has four stories, each with its own set of arches and columns arranged in different architectural orders: the first level is
    Doric, the second Ionic, and the third Corinthian, with the top story having pilasters of the Corinthian order.
    3. Efficient Crowd Control: The structure featured vomitoria, or passageways, that allowed the large crowds to enter and exit the arena quickly and efficiently. This
    was an early example of crowd control, with people able to exit the structure within minutes.

    Arena and Substructure:

    1. Arena Floor: The wooden floor, covered in sand, hid a complex network of tunnels and rooms (called the hypogeum) used to house gladiators, animals, and stage
    sets. The hypogeum allowed for dramatic entrances and surprise reveals during shows.
    2. Retractable Awning (Velarium): The Colosseum’s top had a retractable awning system, operated by sailors, to shield spectators from the sun. This system required
    advanced engineering, as it was made up of canvas sails that could be pulled to create shade over much of the seating area.

    ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES OF COLOSSEUM


    All three of the major architectural orders of the time were represented:
    The ground floor columns were done in the Tuscan style, a Roman variation on the austere Greek Doric style.
    The second floor featured slightly more elaborate Ionic columns.
    The third floor employed the more intricate and decorated Corinthian style.
    Therefore, from bottom to top, the Colosseum went from lesser to greater stylistic complexity. Each half-column was the centerpiece of an
    arch, of which there were a total of 80 forming the external perimeter of the building on the first three floors. These were largest on the ground
    floor, at 4.2 meters wide and 7.05 meters tall. On the two upper floors they were the same width but slightly shorter, 6.45 meter tall.

    IONIC CORINTHIAN The Colosseum’s most distinctive feature was the arena upon which gladiators, prisoners, convicts, and wild animals fought and died.
    DORIC
    It measured 83 meters in length by 48 meters width.
    The arena floor was made of wood panels, covered with a layer of sand which was drawn from the nearby Monte Mario hill.
    There were many trap doors in its floor, which were used to introduce and remove elements of scenery and for special effects.
    It was surrounded by a 10 foot wall which led to the first level of seats.
    AFNAN AZIZ
    233BARCH003
    GSSC - HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1

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