Essay On Colosseum - 1588 Words

Module 2: Age of Perfection and Empire (Colosseum – Negative) 336! The Colosseum (72AD – 80AD) demonstrates that function (â€Å"shelter, program, organization, use, occupancy, materials, social purpose†) informs style (â€Å"line, outline, shape, composition†) (Figure 1) (Hendrix 2013, 1; John, Sheard and Vickery 2007, 4). Built as a theatre to entertain Roman citizens, the Colosseum’s shape, size, tiered seating, arena and rhythmical arches emerges from the functional requirements to stage entertainment, maximise spectatorship, manage crowds and provide structural stability (John, Sheard and Vickery 2007, 1). The cross-section of the Colosseum (Figure 2) reveals the translation of function into form: †¢ Spectacle: A large central arena provided the†¦show more content†¦Therefore, whilst varying facades and building technology may â€Å"disguise usage norms†, the form of the Colosseum (and modern stadiums) emerges from function (Maguire 2014, 127). Module 3: Heavenly Pursuits (Gothic – Affirmative) The intricate carvings, stained-glass windows, statues, jewelled ornamentation and elaborate paintwork of the Gothic cathedral augments the architectural form. A theological shift during the 12th century triggered an architectural transition from the dark, heavy Romanesque church to the illuminated, soaring and delicate Gothic cathedral (Figure 8) (Ching, Jarzomebek, and Prakash 2011, 369, 420). Annihilating the mass of the Romanesque, Gothic architecture employed slender columns, vaulted ceilings, pointed arches, flying buttresses and large windows to achieve a light, skeletal structure with soaring heights and a light-filled interior (Figure 9) (Nuttgens 1997, 160). The decorative carving further reduces the mass to create a delicate lacework, that coupled with sculptured jambs, piers and archivolts, enhances and disguises the architecture leading Scott (1879, 313) to â€Å"†¦question whether the sculpture of these cathedrals does not excel the architecture† (Figure 10). Significantly, the corporeal light filtering through the stained glass (allegorically the divine illumination of God) and the delicate pillars that draw the eye to the soaring vaulted ceiling combine to create a system ofShow MoreRelatedColosseum of Rome Essay2347 Words   |  10 PagesIn this essay, I will be writing about the great Colosseum of Rome and what was held inside to give the citizens of Rome some entertainment. The Romans had many choices of what to do during their spare time, such as ball games, board games, and watching gladiatorial fights in the Colosseum; this was the most popular type of entertainment. To many people today, Roman entertainment was classed as cruel. However, not all forms of entertainment involved such violence as within the Colosseum. ThereRead More The Colosseum Essay2316 Words   |  10 PagesThe Colosseum In the first century AD, the Roman Emperor Vespasian decided that Rome needed a stadium that would not only satisfy the crowds, but also convince the magnitude that Rome had become a power to be reckoned with. He wanted them to know that Rome now again had strong and unquestionable power in the world after the strong and bitter civil war it had recently gone through. His idea was to create an amphitheater. This theater, named the Flavian Amphitheater, earned a reputation as theRead MoreThe Colosseum Essay example798 Words   |  4 Pages Architecture of the ancient Roman Empire is one of the most fascinating of all time. The city of Rome once housed more than one million residents. The Romans made great use of many architectural shapes like arches and columns. Using these they were able to build monstrous buildings of worship, entertainment and other services. The one building that comes in mind over the centuries, when you think of Rome is The Amphitheatrum Flavium or The Coloseum. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Coloseum wasRead More The Roman Colosseum Essays2385 Words   |  10 PagesThe Roman Colosseum, a colossal amphitheater, was built in the first century under Flavians rule. Many events such as gladiator games, beast fights, naval battles, and much more took place inside the huge elliptical arena. People of all ages and classes attended these well-known spectacles. The Colosseum is a huge Roman architectural achievement and the fact that it is still standing today only amplifies the importance of this structure. Hundred of thousands of people attended the ancient gamesRead MoreWas the Colosseum a Perfect Amphitheatre? Essay876 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Colosseum was a perfect amphitheatre.† How far do you agree with this statement? The Colosseum, located in Rome was built opened by the Emperor Titus in 80 AD. By many it is considered a â€Å"perfect amphitheatre† due to its dà ©cor, practicality and large structural layout. However, there are some features of the Colosseum which mean it is difficult to use, hence leading to some people disagreeing with the statement. One of the main reasons why the Colosseum was and is so highly respected isRead MoreThe Colosseum : Cultural And Cultural Values1305 Words   |  6 Pagesthe present essay examines and evaluates the way in which the architectural building of ‘The Colosseum’ describes the societal and cultural values of Rome. In addition to this, the essay also demonstrates the technical and spatial features of the buildings and illustrates the way through the building is able to develop a language of classical architecture in Rome. The thesis statement of the present essay can be stated as ‘The extent to which the architectural building of ‘The Colosseum’ in Rome depictsRead MoreSocial Structure in the Colosseum1229 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿ The Ancient Roman Social Structure in the Colosseum Ancient Rome is one of the greatest and most influential societies in the history of the world. From the basic rules of how the Roman Empire is set up to the infrastructures in the city, the strict hierarchy of Roman social structure can be reflected clearly all over the whole ancient Rome. In fact that â€Å"public architecture presents people with the official view of a society and provides the background against which its individual markersRead MoreThe Importance Of The Colosseum1009 Words   |  5 Pages The famous historical structure known as the Colosseum is a remarkable piece of architecture that has survived for over nearly two millenniums. It was commissioned by the Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty as a gift to the people of Rome and completed by his son, Titus in the year 70 A.D. (History, 2009). Since then, the Flavian Amphitheater has gone through lifetimes of changes with chronicles of events. It is one of the most impressive ancient structures that still sta nd today and is extraordinaryRead MoreA Brief Note On The Punic Wars And Rome1713 Words   |  7 PagesEvan Myers Dr. Cary Western Cultural Traditions I October 14, 2015 Rome Midterm Essays Punic Wars The three Punic Wars were between ancient Carthage and Rome and took place over almost a century. The wars began in 264 B.C. and ended in 146 B.C. with the destruction of Carthage (History.com Staff). At the time the war broke out, Carthage was the world’s leading maritime power in the Mediterranean and Rome was the dominant power in the Italian Peninsula (History.com Staff). In the First PunicRead MoreForm and Function of the Colosseum1286 Words   |  6 PagesForm and Function of the Colosseum Colosseum is an example of a building in which its form and function are inextricably linked. To prove this, let us take a look at some of the orders, the wall-like structure and the vaults of the Colosseum as part of its form and functions. With reference to the Illustration Book Colour Plate 19,28,72,75,76 and 78, and Block 2 The Colosseum Figure 6.1 and 6.2, the Colosseum evidently uses five orders: ‘Doric’, ‘Tuscan’, ‘Ionic’