Colosseum

9 Pages 2166 Words

When tracing back to different time periods, cultures and civilizations, the ancient Roman Empire possessed probably the most impressive architecture of all time. In the early centuries, the city of Rome was home to more than one million residents. The forums for civic services, temples of worship, and amphitheaters for recreation and play, were just some examples of fine building monuments located in Rome. Arches, columns, and mechanical elements in pulleys and elevators were pioneered by the Romans. However, when one tends to think of great buildings in Rome, one building stands alone. This building is the Flavian Amphitheater, or better known as the Colosseum.
To fully understand the form and function of the Colosseum, one must realize the time, place, and culture of this great monument. In the beginning, Rome was both influenced by the Etruscans of the North and Greeks of Italy and South but had its basic roots from a long time of Samnite domination. The Etruscans were that of an interesting type as described by Peter Quennell: The Etruscans...combined a passionate devotion to the ordinary pleasures of life with a haunting fear of death. They were cruel, too, and deeply superstitious...their victims were ordered to fight among themselves until the last had fallen. The Etruscans would have a strong impression in Roman lifestyles and philosophies. For example, the purple robe worn by leaders would be later adopted by the Romans. They also were the influence which brought gladiatorial battles of sacrifice into the Roman culture. This was a time of blood thirsty humans who loved the site of battle. Even an early Christian named Alypius proclaimed that he "took away with him a mad passion which prodded him not only to return (to gladiator events) with those by whom he had first been forced in, but even ahead of them and dragging in others." This was a time of paganism, which meant sacrifice and death. In the first few centuries ear...