The Great Structure of Coliseum - Coursework Example

Coliseum: Great Structure Being one of the architectural wonders of the world, it cannot be denied that the Coliseum is a majestic edifice. In this paper, I aim to assess the significance of the building in terms of it historical context but more focus on the structure of it. At the same time, the stylistic conventions shall be investigated in relation with the cultural contexts that influenced its design and construction. I would like to emphasize that my approach and take on the paper would be more of a synthetic one. Culture and Architecture shall be the main points of analysis while it includes the different architectural conventions that the coliseum possesses. In terms of culture, the Greeks have certain influences when it comes to practices with the Romans. On the other hand, architecture is more focused on the development and appropriation of certain Greek developments in the Roman conventions of architectural style and construction. Form and function shall be assessed in connection with the two aforementioned premises of this paper. At the same time, there will be an inclusion of the aesthetic conditions of the whole edifice which has a strong inclination with the socio – cultural conditions of the Romans back then. Architectural structures are product of the creative mind. The Coliseum is a great structure that possesses a strong cultural significance and architectural innovations that cannot be disregarded at the turn of the century. These are the main points that I shall engage in this essay. Analytically, Roman Coliseum can be considered as a hybrid from of architecture due to several influences of the Greeks and Etruscan since most of their cultural conventions have been borrowed and reoriented to fit the Roman social structure (Evans 7). At the onset, the Coliseum consists of columns and arches with an inclusion of pulleys and elevators (Evans 7). It is considered as an amphitheatre that is used for gladiatorial spectacle. At the same time, it is considered to be a Flavian amphitheatre (Evans 34). The said edifice was started by Vespasian and finished by Titus and Domitian (Evans 34). Generations have carried on the project. How is the building designed? The Coliseum consists of four floors and each one of the floors consists of different column designs (Evans 7 and 34). Each of the floors is designed accordingly to different Greek conventions on columnar design. The first floor of columns that support the whole structure is Doric origin; considered to be the simplest of column designs (Evans 35). Upon reaching the second floor, the columns have to follow the Ionic design which appears more of a scroll (Evans 35). The third floor has to follow the Corinthian design (Evans 35). The third floor’s columns are designed lavishly; following an acanthus design: an ornamentation of the classical tradition (Evans 35). The fourth floor has to follow a Corinthian pilaster design (Evans 35). The last floor has to be elaborate in design, especially in the case of the Coliseum. Based on the structure of the design, it cannot be denied that it is indeed a mixture of different style. There seems to be an inclusion of the Hellenic and Hellenistic conventions of the Greeks. The circular condition of the architecture is an Etruscan influence on this Roman architecture (Evans 5). This happened because of the constant influence and interaction between the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans. The next part of the Coliseum that I want to assess is the basement. The basement of the Coliseum is called a hypogeum (Mueller 27). This serves as a chamber where the gladiators stay and wait, the wild and savage animals are tamed, and where criminals are executed (Mueller 28). This is a reinforced concrete placed on sand to ensure the strong support of the structure (Mueller 29). The hypogeum consists of several chambers that cater to the aforementioned things happening inside. This is another Etruscan influence due to the importance of building underground chambers in temples. Upon entering the Coliseum, one must take note of the arches placed on the hallways. These archways are called vomitoria (Caggia). There are a total of 80 passageways that allows entry in the interiors of the Coliseum. All of these led to the atrium which is divided into three parts. These are the cavia, podium and the arena (Caggia). The cavia is where the ordinary people stay to watch the games (Caggia). The podium is where the noblemen, in particular, the emperor, stay during the games held at the very arena of the Coliseum (Caggia) However, there are axes intended to serve as special entrances for the important people in the Coliseum (Caggia). Another feature of the Coliseum is that it has a velarium that serves as a protection of the viewers, which is located in the attic of the Coliseum (Caggia) Concrete, as mentioned, has been the foundations of the architectural edifice of the Romans. At the same time, the sands present in the area serves as a tool to prevent the slipping of gladiators due to blood. During the process of construction, there are four independent builders that have been used to accomplish the magnificent structure of the Romans (Caggia). The whole structure can support roughly fifty thousand spectators. These have been the key features of the Coliseum. The next part of the paper focuses on the contexts of construction of the whole Roman virtuosity when it comes to engineering and architecture and an analysis of the use of it. Cultural interaction paved way for the development of the Coliseum. Greeks, inevitably, have the influence over the Etruscan people. The Etruscan people, on the other hand, have been getting the ideas of the Greeks from the Etruscans. However, the attempt of the Romans to establish an empire became the crucial condition. This is the condition that has given them the chance to explore the different areas of Greece and learn from their art, philosophy, literature and even religion. First level of analysis would be on the use of the Doric column design. Being the simplest, it has been used during by the Greeks at the early age of their civilization. Why has it been used at the first level of the Coliseum? Analytically, it is possible that the foundations of the architectural flourish of the Greeks started with it. By using it as the foundation, there is a possible association push forth by the Romans with the greatness of the Greeks in this case. After the Doric columns, the Ionic one has been used for the second floor. This could possibly extend as the extension of the greatness of the Greek empire. There is also a possibility the Ionic design is used to show the power of the Romans to be the same to that of the Greeks. However, with the inclusion of the Corinthian design in the third and fourth floors of the Coliseum, it can be considered to be an excess. This becomes an excess due to over – glorification with the technical virtuosity of the Greeks in making architectural complexes. With the use of Greek techniques in making the floors of the Coliseum, there is a now a possible analysis about its use by the Romans. It can be inferred that the Romans are identifying themselves with the glory of the Greeks, especially during the peaks of its civilization. They are using the said techniques influenced by the Greeks to extend the power of their empire and show the glory that they possesses. The Greek knowledge has become the key to their success in erecting the Coliseum. With the other aspects of the Coliseum, one must carefully understand that the Etruscan influence is also important. This is important because it is another reorientation of the Greek influence with the Etruscans due to a more direct contact with the Greeks. With the incorporation of the Etruscan style in the Greek influence, the Romans have thought that the Etruscan style is of a Greek origin supposedly. Given the complexity of the development of style, it can be noticed that the Romans have been mimetic of the Greeks in the same manner the Etruscans have done (Hauser 52). Thus, the real essence of the Greek architecture is not really imitated by the Romans despite of the success in terms of copying and conceptualizing. The whole coliseum’s concept is actually a possible recopy of the Greek amphitheatre. However, despite of the copying that the Roman’s did, the very use of concrete delineates them from the Greeks who have used marble mainly in their structures. Their expertise in the manner of structuring and providing a strong engineering foundation for the Coliseum is something that cannot be overlooked nor devalued. To a certain extent, this can be considered as a deviation from the Greek influence. In terms of the history of the building, there is a very strong political upheaval that is involved with it. The origin of its construction is a very grave issue. Vespasian, the Roman emperor who initiated the construction of the Coliseum, is an act of despise against the anarchist rule of Nero who committed suicide (Evans 37). The place where the Coliseum stood is the former artificial lake that Nero has used for his home (Evans 35). To compensate the damage of removing the water in the artificial lake, concrete has been used to strengthen the foundations of the whole building. This is one of the key things about the strong foundations why the Coliseum still stands until now. However, Vespasian’s rule did not ensure the finishing of the whole structure. The construction of the whole edifice extended up to the rule of his son’s Titus and Domitian (Evans 34). As part of the Classical tradition, the Coliseum is something that shows the virtuosity of the Classical architecture. The survival of the structure up to the present times shows that the building is indeed strong in terms of structural foundations. This is the best thing that can be considered about the Roman architectural design. In this point of the paper, I would now be focusing more on the functionality of the Coliseum accordingly in its context. There must be a thorough engagement of the dual condition when it comes to the function of the architecture. First is that it is a venue for entertainment. The coliseum has served as an avenue for festivals, shows and games (Evans 215). All of these have been an avenue for spectacle and happiness for the Romans back then. Festivals have been celebrated in the Coliseum when it has been inaugurated during the term of Titus’s reign; partly finished (Evans 215). This is the first festival ever recorded for the coliseum. There are certain instance as well that the Coliseum has been used for the performances by clowns and jests to please the viewers at the early part of the day. Games, specifically, the gladiator ones happen during the afternoon (Evans 215). On the other hand, the Coliseum also served as a venue for violence. The gladiator games have been brutal and harsh. Death is the best prize that a gladiator shall get in the arena. The Coliseum can be considered to be a venue for the duel of life. There are two types of things held here: one is the savage beast versus humans while the other is human versus humans. All of these provided entertainment. One must understand that the Roman society did not use ordinary people to join the gladiator games. Criminals and slaves are the ones included here (Evans 215). It can be analyzed that the Coliseum also serves as an execution ground. At the same time, the coliseum can be considered as a torture chamber for these people. Their torture in the prison chambers is extended as they face death in the midst of a jeering crowd. Their death is a form of entertainment. This practice continued for years and one of the great spectacles in the Roman lifestyle and living. This is part of their activities and the way for them to sustain this violent event is to constantly extend the empire. Even if it is safe to say that the Coliseum is a great architecture, no one can deny that its history and social context is something that cannot be overlooked. In totality, the Coliseum’s selling points are its design, history and structure. These three are the best qualities about the coliseum that makes it a good point of study. In terms of design, it cannot be denied that its concept is indeed complex and imitative. However, the compilations of Greek architectural conventions into one seem to be exhausting to work out. At the same time, the coliseum, to a certain extent, can be considered to have increased the standards and conventions regarding the classical form of architecture. They may have copied the Greeks aesthetically and artistically but their integration of all the key elements of Greek architecture is something that cannot be devalued. In terms of history, the building has been stained with the political, social and economic conditions of the Roman Empire back then. Its conception has been brought upon by political outrage and distrust. In terms of social, it has served as a venue for entertainment and execution which has been used as means to show the need achieve the wants of the Roman people and the emperor. Economically, such structure can be considered as a manifestation of the wealth and power of the Roman Empire under the rule of its great emperors. Finally, the structure is a product of great engineering innovations of the Empire. The uses of concrete and stones have been the key to maintain the strong support for the structure. This has been the advantage of the Romans in terms of preserving architectural complex because of the rigidity and support that it can provide to the building. It can be seen that the technology used by the Romans is something that cannot be disregarded. The very materials of the building made it survive the tests of time until now even if there are already damages caused by nature. Hence, the Coliseum is an architectural and engineering structure that carries with a very strong socio – political and artistic conventions that the human history must take note of and understand. Works Cited Caggia, Sergio. The Colosseum. 14 April 2012 . Evans, James Allan. Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Greece and Rome 1200 B.C.E. - 476 B.C.E. . United States: Thomson Gale, 2005. Hauser, Arnold. Social History of Art Vol. 1. From Prehistoric Times to the Middle Ages. New York: Routledge, 1999. Mueller, Tom. "Unearthing the Colosseums Secrets." Smithsonian 41.9 (2011): 26-35. OmniFile Full Text Mega. Web. 27 Jan. 2012.  Read More