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What is the function of the Colosseum, AD 70-82, Rome
The role of the colosseum
The role of the colosseum
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The Significance of the Colosseum in Roman World During the early Roman period, there were several magnificent architectures such as the first dome Pantheon and the bridge Point-du-Guard in France. However, the most significant in that period is the Roman Colosseum. The Colosseum is a massive amphitheater that was built for the purpose of public entertainment for citizens. It is famous and known as “the largest and most important amphitheater in the world” (Kleiner 203). The Colosseum is a representative symbol for Italy even back then and now. Also, it depicts the social hierarchy, the Roman imperial cruelty and the impacts on Christian culture. The Colosseum or Coliseum is a monument of architecture of the Roman Empire. With the profits …show more content…
It was 620 feet long and 513 feet wide and also “was the largest amphitheater in the Roman World” (Colosseum). It was huge and could hold up to 50000 people. There were 76 gates with useful entrances and exits that helped getting in and out easier. Emperor decided to use the amphitheater as a free public entertainment. However, the spectators ought to sit according to their levels in the society system. For example, the unknown architect used marble and iron dividers to split up staircase and entrances in order to separate people from different classes (Hopkins). Hopkins also states, “the very top section of the Colosseum is separated from other spectators by 5m- (16ft-) high wall.” The society system in the early Roman period was based on the social hierarchy. The higher level someone was, the closer to the arena he or she sat. The seats were arranged by people’s prosperity and gender. Indeed, the Colosseum had four bands and the lower three had large arcades (Kleiner 204). The wealthy and powerful citizens such as the emperor sat nearest to the arena. The first floor for the wealthy was made of marbles or travertine stone with painted stucco on the ceiling (Hopkins). The two lower classes sat on second and third floors which no shade. The highest and farthest level was for women and slaves with a limitative view. Based on the seating chart, it could be understood that during the early Roman period, society was unreasonable and unequal. It defined people by their social status, not by education or personality as nowadays. Especially, women were being treated poorly back then. Women did not have the ability to express themselves and quality of life. Luckily, things are different now. Women resist the sexism inequality and affirm their position in
In Rome the buildings were constructed under Roman Empire. The Roman Colosseum was constructed between 69 to 79 CE by the Vespasian emperor, The Circus Maximum was built in the 2nd century B.C by the high emperor, in 31 B.C the fire destroyed it that led Emperor Augustus to rebuild the Circus in 82 AD, Ludus Magnus was a gladiatorial training school in Rome and it was originally built between 81-96AD by Emperor Domitian. The emperor’s theme was large public stone buildings that would bring the people of Rome together and also the emperor was rich and they had manpower. The emperors also patron towards the workers and also to prove that they are the great leaders. The emperors had money, a lot of workers to build the buildings to the Emperor’s satisfaction. The buildings were used by the public as entertainment where they would go and watch all sorts of races & fights.
When discussing the historical and cultural aspects it is important to take into consideration the culture, religion, political, social, economic and artistic aspects of the time period.The construction of the Colosseum occurred during the Flavian Dynasty, between 69 CE to 96 CE. The construction of this massive amphitheater began in 70 CE under the reign of emperor Vespasian and ended sometime around 80 CE under the reign of his son Titus (Vespasian, 2013). During this time period Vespasian was greatly known for his reorganization of the army and the expansion of the membership of the senate, which ultimately dealt with the political, economic and military aspect of the Roman history and culture.
seating and the easiest access to the Colosseum. Even though many people think that the
Society formed three main social groups. This new social pyramid is executed in Image 2 (Document 1: The Royal Standard of Ur). The mosaic artwork depicts three scenes stacked upon each other in horizontal strips. At the bottom men are burdened with heavy sacks of food on their backs. These people are apart the lowest social rank: workers and slaves. The picture above illustrates the second tier of the society are farmers, probably the middle class, as people leading animals and carrying fish. On the top is a king, large in size compared to the others in the image, and his subjects at a party enjoying drinks and live music. The main social classes were the wealthy and powerful, agriculturalists, and the lachrymose workers. Social status determined housing conditions. A clear example of social division is Image A: Early Egyptian City. The illustration is divided into two sections. On one side of the Egyptian city there are small, crude buildings conglomerated together. These buildings are inhabited by the poor. On the opposite side of the picture, the buildings are more defined and a majority are spread farther apart. Some buildings are even standing on an individual plot of land. This is the affluent part of the city. Those who were less fortunate lived shoulder to shoulder, while the rich lived separate from them in more spacious
The Circus Maximus was a tremendous money maker for Rome. Rome made a lot of money and happiness for their citizens. The Circus Maximus started in 549 BC and ended in 50 BC, bringing in about 270,000 people each race. Lots of ideas and practices that they did in the Circus Maximus we still do today. For example, we still use the shape of the track, the stadiums, and multiple sports today are based off the Circus Maximus. The Circus Maximus was so popular for its competition, thrill. A tremendous amount of people went to these races. This was because the citizens of Rome were greatly involved the happiness of competition.
The Roman Empire was one of the foremost powers in the ancient world, a grand civilization that held dominion over its land for roughly five hundred years until its decline in 476AD. During their reign, many Roman buildings were constructed around their empire, in colonies such as Africa, France, and Syria. Many of these constructions were amphitheatres. An amphitheatre is an open-air arena for the entertainment of the audience, for executions and performances. Named for its shape (that of two theatres facing each other) and ‘theatre’ as ‘place for viewing.’
The Colosseum is an important part of ancient Roman history. The amphitheater is a symbol of Roman culture. The Colosseum displayed the violence of Roman culture. This incredibly unique amphitheater dominated the city of Rome. It was one of the most innovative and complex structures during that time period. The vastness of this impressive building displayed the wealth and power of the Roman Empire to other empires and enemies of the Romans. The Colosseum was created for public entertainment purposes. Gladiator fights with prisoners of war and slaves, wild animal hunts, professional fights, and public executions all took place at the Colosseum. Sea battles, rarely performed at the Colosseum, involved flooding the arena with water and releasing sharks for gladiators to fight. The excitement and thrill of each event kept spectators coming back.
Ancient Rome’s social hierarchy is an order of social classes with producers at the bottom and leaders or kings at the top. Emperors and slaves are very different in comparison. Emperors are the leaders or kings and slaves are the producers in this case. The two were treated very differently.
"Roman Colosseum - Rome, Italy - Great Buildings Architecture." Architecture Design Architectural Images Drawings History and More - ArchitectureWeek Great Buildings. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.
The three main social classes in Ancient Rome were the Patricians, Plebeians and the slaves. The Patricians were the wealthy Romans and for wealthy Romans, life was good. They lived in beautiful houses often on the hills outside Rome, away from the noise and the smell. They enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle with luxurious furnishings, surrounded by servants and slaves to cater to their every desire. Many would hold exclusive dinner parties and serve their guests the exotic dishes of the day. Many Patricians were powerful leaders in government or the military.
The differences between the art of Roman and other civilizations were that every Roman arts whether were sculptures or architectures had served some purposes and played certain roles in the daily lives of Roman citizens. For example, Romans love to build small concrete building with the vaulting systems. The small building which was called the bay (Pg. 105). This unique system helps to construct much fine and greatest architecture for Romans such as the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia, the Colosseum and the Basilica of Constantine. The Pantheon of Rome was also another striking example of fine Roman structure. These structures were often used for religion matters, public meetings and entertainment for every Roman citizen. If any Roman citizens wanted to have some fun, they would attend the Colosseum and watched the gladiatorial game or a series of chariot race. If some other citizens wanted to seek God or certain deity, they would likely to go to the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia. In fact, architectures were significant in the lives of Roman citizens.
The Architecture of the Colosseum is very grand, with the capacity to hold up to 80,000 people. The Colosseum is over 160 feet tall, it “has a length of 620 feet and was close to 513 feet wide” (“Colosseum Architecture.”). Because the Colosseum was so big, it would have been very difficult to get so many people in and out of it had it not been for the various arches and stairs built within it. In total there are about 80 arches that each led to various stairways. These stairways then led to all the different levels of the Colosseum, which in turn made it a lot easier and more comfortable for a lot of people to exit it in a short amount of time. The Colosseum also had many arches of which four were “reserved exclusively for royalty and nobles” and the others were for the rest of the people (“Colosseum Architecture.”). Unlike other amphitheaters which had a circular shape, the Colosseum had the unique shape of an oval, which helped the people watching have a better view of the arena. This added to the overall different feel that the Colosseum had.
Rome, Italy’s capital, is a stretched, city with nearly 3,000 years of influential art, architecture and culture written to share to the world. Ancient Rome was one of the most advanced societies in its time. Ancient Roman culture lasted a long time in the history of the civilization of Ancient Rome. ancient Rome was a joint of the city of Rome which a lot of the activity’s happen. Ancient Rome is known for the prominent Colosseum which is the largest amphitheater ever built. , the , and the Pantheon.The Roman Pantheon is the most maintained and dominant buildings of ancient Rome. It is a Roman temple dedicated to all the gods of ancient Rome. The city also had many other theaters, gymnasiums, and many taverns. most of the population in Rome lived in
Construction was very expensive. Just the external wall of the Colosseum would cost about $50 million dollars, today. About the size of a professional football stadium, the Colosseum could hold over 50,000 spectators. Upon entering, the audience climbed sloping ramps to their seats. These seats were separated according to gender and social class. The women and the poor sat at the top of the Colosseum, on wooden benches.
Starting with the Roman Colosseum, which is located in the center of Rome. It is a ginormous amphitheater of huge 80 arched entrance and seating arrangements for 55,000 spectators. The Colosseum was built over 2000 years ago, which was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian and completed by his son Titus. Originally it was known as Flavian Amphitheatre. The designs of sport stadiums all over the world are still influenced by the Roman Colosseum to this very day!