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Design of the Colosseum
Building the Colosseum
Design of the Colosseum -
for Purpose and Effect
The plan and design of the
Colosseum was created for specific roles and effects. Its
main role was to provide a permanent purpose-built arena in
the centre of Ancient Rome for staging various forms of
entertainment for the Ancient Romans. The Colosseum was the
largest amphitheatre in the Roman world, seating up to
80,000 Romans. The design of the massive, breath-taking
structure conveyed the culture, wealth, might and power of
the city of Rome and the Roman Empire.
Classical Design of the Colosseum
The Classical Design of the Colosseum
is reflected in the rows of arches at each of the levels.
The first level consisted of 23 ft high and 14 ft wide Doric
"order" or style arches, the second level was designed with
21 ft high and 14 ft wide Ionic arches and the third level
21 ft high and 14 ft wide Corinthian style arches. See
Roman
Arches for a full description of these designs and
styles. The design of the Colosseum displays a natural
progression from sturdiest and plainest arches (Doric) at
the bottom, to slenderest and richest arches (Corinthian) at
the top.
Design of the Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum
included a design feature of a retractable awning called the
Velarium which provided cover and shade to the spectators. The Design
of the Colosseum was later extended to incorporate a
hypogeum consisting of a two-level subterranean network of
tunnels and vertical shafts providing instant access to the
arena for animals and scenery. Click the following link for
details of the
Dimensions of the Colosseum.
Design of the Colosseum
The content of this Design of the Colosseum
category on life in Ancient Rome provides free educational
details, facts and information for reference and research
for schools, colleges and homework. Refer to the
Colosseum Sitemap for a comprehensive search on interesting
different categories containing the history, facts and
information about Ancient Rome. Just like the subject of
Design of the Colosseum there is hardly a page of Roman history and the Romans that is not, on
some way, connected to the Roman Colosseum which became a
symbol of Rome, its society, culture and life.
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