The Underground Chamber of the Colosseum - Essay Example

Naira Gabriyelyants & School: ARC 2701 – History of Architecture I, Spring Florida International : Colosseum (Architect Emperor Vespasian Rome, Italy, 72 AD) Tentative Title: The Underground Warren Wonders of the Colosseum 1. Proposal on the Underground Chamber of the Coliseum and the Functions 1.1 Introduction The Coliseum, also known as Colosseum is a very iconic monument that was made by the greatest Roman architectural genius. This proposal is based on this particular architecture that symbolizes imperial Rome. This proposal aims at unearthing numerous facts concerning the Coliseum. This architect was initially known as Flavian Amphitheater, one of the biggest amphitheaters that the genius Romans ever constructed. It is indeed the largest in the world. The paper will discuss some facts concerning the Roman Collosseum, which was constructed in the ancient Roman emperor. Presently, the Coliseum represents an exceptional talent, which stands in a somewhat ruined condition. This partial ruin is because of various factors such as human intervention; it still remains one of the popular architects that attract huge numbers of tourists. Colosseum is a good example of an architectural structure in which its form and function are linked inextricably (Maya 1). To demonstrate this, this paper will look at some of the orders, the wall-like structure and the varied intersections of the Colosseum as part of its form and functions. Below is the architecture that will form the basis of my research. (The Coliseum: The gladiators’ bloody Circus stands). 1.2 Small Description of the Roman Colosseum The Roman Colosseum is amongst some of the most extraordinary pieces of architectures in the history of Roman Empire. Most people recognize it for its wicked past of bloody, yet amusing entertainment. Tourists and many other individuals would come on a regular basis to cheer on gladiators taking part the brutal fights against each other and the killing of animals. Many animals were brutally killed and most of these animals were imported from countries like Syria and Africa. It is noteworthy that the Coliseum had death written all over it since a fight would not end if something or someone died. Other spectacles included boxing matches, chariot races, archery contests, and any other type of gruesome episode. Preparation for any event requires time, effort, and space; therefore, I will write about the dissident chamber of the Colosseum and the functions it was put to. Gladiators, imported animals, criminals, and other constructive materials needed for each event were located beneath the ground floor (Wilkinson 145). Gladiators were held in rooms, while the animals were locked up in cages. Also, criminals were executed in the amphitheater, so they were held in cages underground as well. Due to the fact that there were ramps leading to different levels in the underground warren, we can conclude that it was a very deep and spacy area. In addition, I will cover the use and structural architect of trapdoors in the floor that opened at regular intervals to carry animals and people to the arena floor. During and after the second half of the fifth century, the underground chambers had a new function for the Colosseum: it stocked up pieces of the building that had crumpled throughout the years. Ordinarily, the Roman Colosseum is a incredibly attention-grabbing structure that has a barbaric history to it, but the better part of this paper will focus on researching about the many functions of the underground chambers from the first century to the sixth, where it was entirely destroyed. 1.3 Facts about the Roman Coliseum In this part, this research will focus on the time when the Roman Coliseum was constructed. It will further highlight on the individuals who were behind the construction. The emperor during the time will also be highlighted upon in this section. Many people talk of the Flavian dynasty, but they rarely understand all about the ideas that led to the formation of this dynasty. This paper undertakes to use this section to answer numerous questions that have remained unaddressed for all this while. In this section, the paper intends to explore on the individuals who initiated the construction of this iconic structure. In this section, the paper will highlight on various issues related to the construction of the Coliseum such as the completion if this mega structure. Whether there was an inaugural ceremony will also be unearth under this section of the paper. The paper will further propose to highlight on various detailed facts about the Coliseum. Under the facts about the Roman Coliseum, this paper will explore on the location, purpose or functions, the structure and the vegetation growth. a) The Location In this section, the focus of the paper will shift to discussing the site where the Coliseum stands. The paper will also highlight on the purpose or the role that the Roman Forum or the ancient Roman plaza. The Roman Empire had numerous administrative and government offices that the Roman Coliseum might have played an essential role of acting as one of the structures with the offices. This may be treated as speculation, but the paper will use this section to help understand the why it was referred to as the ancient Roman plaza. This section will also highlight on other giant structure close to the Roman Coliseum. One of the structures that will be highlighted includes the Arch of the Constantine I, which was also a very wonderful structure. This is a structure that lies right next to the Coliseum. It is one of the most triumphant arches that were erected by the Roman Senate in commemoration of the Roman emperor. (The Coliseum and the Arch of Constantine I) b) Purpose or Functions of the Coloseum There are numerous roles that the Roman Coliseum played in the olden days. One of these functions is being the center of the administrative or government offices. The othe function is that served as a tourist attraction center. This section will highlight on various function that this iconic munument played in the history of the Roman emperor. This architecture played an essential role in the Roman history and it will be necessary to unerth in this section, the various roles it played. There are various orders within the Roman Coliseum and these order have varried functions such as that of providing a framework for the entire edifice. This is because varried orders are essential in a special way and levels, portraying the subtlety of the edifice. It would not make sense without hastily highlighting on various purposes the Coliseum served during the Roman emperor. This fine art’s major purpose was to hold the gladiatorial contests, which was the most popular form of entertainment during the Roman Empire. The underground passageway served as a gladiatorial contestant’s private passage. Numerous functions such as the navalia proelia was also hosted in the Coliseum. Venation or animal hunt was another most popular thing in the ancient Rome, wild exotic animals were hunted and killed in this place with a huge audience witnessing. These animals included the lions, panthers, Caspian tigers, rhinoceros, crocodiles, ostriches, hippopotamuses, bears, giraffes and elephants. I propose to explore where these animals came from in the paper. (The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer, by Jean-Leon Gerome, 1883) Between the 16th and 17th Century, this iconic architecture served as for number of purposes, some gruesome and some dangerous. This includes killing of animals, which was done by the beasts. This paper will also mention in this section the purposes it served with regards to the religious services. Some of them include hosting great function presided over by numerous Popes during the time. Some of the Popes I will talk about include, Pope Pius V, Pope Clement X and Pope Benedict XIV. The paper will provide detailed information regarding the importance of this Coliseum to many Christians. (A picture depicting a gladiator contest held in the Coliseum) Finally, this proposal will also highlight on the current functions of the Coliseum, which it has retained with regard to Christian connection. For instnace, this will be achieved by providing a detailed information to acertain that every Good Friday; the Pope led the Way of the Cross procession to the memorial. c) The Structure This section aims at highlighting on the structure of the Coliseum, which is is a free-standing, elliptical structure that occupies about six acres of land. The paper will further address that issue of its capacity, the total number of people it can host. This is because during the Roman empire, it served numerous functions and it is good to know the number of spectators it can host at a time. This section will also talk about the materials used to construct the Roman Coliseum. In most cases, the briliant architects use the materials like sand, morta, wood or even stone. This paper will undertake to provide information regarding the materials that the artchitects used in producing this wonderful structure (William 1043). In this chapter also, the proposal intend to emphasize the security of the structure, how is it secure since it was meant to host a huge capacity. d) The Interior of the Coloseum (The interior of the Coliseum) The interior of the building must have used things such as the travantine stone, which is available in many parts in Rome. This section will underscore the numerous materials that were used in construction of the interior of the building. The paper will emphasize the amount of marble bricks used in the construction and the duration it took to ensure that the success of the structure that presently attracts many tourists. The paper will also talk about the entrances and their meanings, the paintings in the structure, how many floors, and the reason for having numerous entrances. In addition, the paper will also answer the question that many ponder about regarding how the building is dived; into how many parts is the building devided? The Roman Coliseum is devided into numerous parts and every part has numerous sets of seats. This paper will discuss the segments of the Coliseum in details and offer an account on various part with different ornamnetations and decorations (Quennell 154). e) Hypogeum In this part, the paper will explore on the numerous subterrenean chambers, hypogeum. This is the resting place of the animals. This paper will seek to emphsize on the tunnels that connect the hypogeum using the underground tunnels. The hypogeum is essentila since it connects numerous facilities inside and the outside of the Coliseum. Areas such as the Ludus Magnus will also be highlighted in this section in connection to the nearby horse table. (A portion of the Hypogeum) The above portion of the hypogeum contains numerous portions with different machineries and equipments. In this section, the proposal will also stress on numerous equipments that assisted people in filling water to several sections. It is good to note that the Coliseum was made using wooden materials on the floor, which was later removed and the underneath filled with water. This was during the period of the navalia proelia. It will also be essential to to help understand the outer walls, which houses a museum that is usually dedicated to the god of love, Eros. f) Vegetal Growth Domenico Panaroli who was a Roman herbalist, catalogued th flora fauna on the Coliseum walls. In his compilation, he named it Plantarum Amphytheatralium Catalogus. The ancient Rome, there were exotic plants that had become adapted to the environmnet of the Coloseum and their seeds originated from the Rome via the coats of animals . These seeds were imported from faraway lands. The paper will undertake to carry out a research that will help understand where these seeds came from and how they became adapted to this place. This research will further highlight on the significance of these plants to the botanists (Coarelli 34). (Plants at the inner wall of the Coliseum) 1.4 Conclusion In this section, this paper will reassess all the above discussed areas. This part will act as the summery of all the points made in the entire paper. In fact, in this part, the paper will ascertain that indeed the Coliseum of Rome has thus, come a long way. Many people who do not know more about it will come to that the a structure, which started off as a venue for deadly combats, became one of the biggest fortification, a excavation, and eventually, a sacred sanctuary. Most importantly, the original grace of of this fine architecture never ceased to subsist. Presently, there are numerous tourists visiting the Roman Coliseum from the world, in order to gain the ancient Roman experience. The Roman Coliseum will remain an essential part of the Roman history since it is one of the most incredible architures. 1.5 Work cited Coarelli, Filippo, et al. The Colosseum. Los Angeles: Getty Publications, 2001. Print. Maya Pillai. Roman Coliseum Facts. Web. Quennell, Peter. The Colosseum. New York: Newsweek, 1971. Print. Wilkinson, Philip. Amazing Buildings. London, New York, Stuttgart: Dorling Kindersley, 1993. Print. William H. Byrnes IV. Ancient Roman Munificence: The Development of the Practice and Law of Charity. Rutgers Law Review vol. 57, issue 3, 2005 p, 1043–1110. Read More