The Colosseum- Roman Amphitheatre Flashcards

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1
Q

Sponsors and funding and workforce

A

-Vespasian became Roman Emperor 69AD
-> his Flavian dynasty (sons : Titus and Domitian)- launched a vast building program to restore Rome (ravaged by fire, plague, civil war..)

-in 70AD Vespasian ordered construction of amphitheatre, funded with spoils from Roman siege of Jerusalem during first Jewish-Roman war

-labour was a carried out by 100.000 Jewish slaves from Judea captured in this siege + professional builders, engineers, artists, painters, decorators.

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2
Q

It’s location

A

-East of forum Romanum: centre of city, between Caelian, Esquiline and Palatine hills.

-Area densely inhabited, destroyed by fire in 64CE Nero seized area to build Domus Area.

-Vespasian demolished this area to build amphitheatre: populist decision

-Vespasian started 72CE, completed by Titus in 80CE, further modified by Domitius (81-96 CE)

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3
Q

Size and capacity

A

-average 65.000 spectators
-elliptical shape- to facilitate visibility
-186m long, 156m wide
-height outer wall, 48m
-perimeter 545m
-arena 87m long, 55m wide, 5m wall

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4
Q

What events took place

A

-gladiatorial contests- munera
-animal hunts- venatio
-executions
-re-enactments of famous battles
-dramas from Roman mythology
-mock sea battles- naumachiae
-tickets issued as pottery shards
-groups excluded: gravediggers, actors, former gladiators

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5
Q

It’s naming

A

-originally called amphitheatrum
-Flavian amphitheatre
-Colosseum: colossal statue of Nero, modelled on Colossus of Rhodes

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6
Q

It’s exterior

A

-3 storeys with arches surmounted by podium with attic
-arches framed by Doric, Ionic, Corinthian order columns
-arches framed statues: divinities and mythological figures
-80 ground level numbered entrances
-northern entrance for Emperor, east/west/south entrances from elite
-wood, limestone, tuff, tiles, cement, mortar

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7
Q

It’s interior

A

-retractable awning-velarium covering 2/3 arena: protect from sun and provide breeze for spectators
-tiered seating
-podium- first tier for senatorial class (allowed own chairs)
-maenianum primum: non senators, noble class or equestrians
-maenianum secundum immum: ordinary wealthy Roman citizens
-maenianum secundum summum: ordinary poor Roman citizens
-maenianum secundum in legneis: slaves, women
-special boxes for Emperor in north and Vestal Virgins in south, tunnels for secure access
-each set numbered (gradus-row, cuneus- section)

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8
Q

Arena

A

-wooden floor covered by sand
-link to aqueduct for flooding

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9
Q

Hypogeum

A

-built by Domitian
-two-level subterranean network of tunnels and cages for gladiators and animals, scenery pieces
-larger platforms provide access to elephants
-elevators, hydraulic mechanisms
-rooms without windows or air circulation , making slaves work harder- animals kept there and lifted to arena with winches

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10
Q

The buildings nearby

A

-circus maximus
-Ludus Magnus, gladiators’ barracks and training arena, linked to hypogeum with tunnel
-Ludus Matutinus, animal fighters trained
-Armamentarium, armory
-Summum Choragium, machinery
-Sanitarium, treat wounded gladiators
-Spoliarium, dead gladiators stripped of armor disposed of

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