Colloseum

2 Pages 488 Words

WHAT IMPRESSIONS MIGHT A SPECTATOR IN ROMAN TIMES HAVE REGISTERED ON APPROACHING, ENTERING AND SETTLING DOWN IN THE COLOSSEUM? HOW WOULD STRUCTURAL AND DECORATIVE FEATURES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS?

A Roman citizen on approaching the Colosseum could not have failed to have been in awe of the massive 150 foot elliptical building. He must have felt proud to have such a fine building dedicated purely for enjoyment and entertainment, a reminder of the wealth and power of the Emperor who had provided it. In the interior corridors he would have been impressed by extravagant decoration. On being seated he may well have been overwhelmed by the commotion as 50,000 Roman spectators gathered together to watch the games but also a feeling of community spirit although constantly reminded of his social status.

The vast scale and intricate architecture of the Colosseum would have no doubt emphasised emotions of awe. The articulation was carefully designed to be of a delight to the senses. Purely for decorational purposes, Doric columns were used for the lower archways then Ionic and then Corinthian. This clever blend of different styles would have led the onlookers eye up from the heavier Doric base to the more intricate styles above, giving an impression of lightness and helping to break up the Colosseum’s large façade. With each arch built over the one below a honeycomb of arcades formed the outer edge adding to the strength of the structure.

Entering by one of 78 numbered arched entrances the spectator could not fail to miss the 2 unnumbered arches reserved just for the Emperor. These grander

KATE HOWARD X4102819 A103 TMA 03 CLASSICAL STUDIES

entrances leading to the ringside boxes were covered with porticoes and decorated with guilded plaster. This segregation was a reminder of the Emperor’s status.

Once inside moving along corridors the spectator would no do...