The Roman Colosseum (Colosseum Latin original in the current Colosseo Italian) is a large amphitheater the time of the Roman Empire, built in the first century in the center of the city of Rome. Originally called the Flavian Amphitheater (Amphitheatre Flavium), in honor of Sally Dynasty emperors who built it, and came to be called Colosseum by a large statue located next to it, the Colossus of Nero, not preserved today. For its architectural features, conservation status and history, the Colosseum is one of the most famous monuments of classical antiquity. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980.
In ancient times had a capacity for 50,000 spectators, with eighty rows of bleachers. Those who were near the sand were the Emperor and Senate, and as they stood were located lower strata of society. Took place in the Colosseum gladiator fights and public spectacles. It was built just east of the Roman Forum and the work began for 70 d. C. and 72 d. C., under command of the emperor Vespasian. The amphitheater, which was the largest ever built in the Roman Empire, was completed in 80 d. C. by the Emperor Titus, and was amended during the reign of Domitian.
The Colosseum was used for nearly 500 years, celebrating the last games ever in the sixth century, well after the traditional date of the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 d. C. Just as gladiator fights, many other public spectacles were held here as naumachias, hunting animals, executions, reenactments of famous battles and dramas based on classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for these purposes in the High Middle Ages. Later, it was reused as a refuge, factory, home of a religious order, strength and quarry. Extracted from the ruins rich material for the construction of buildings until it was converted into a Christian shrine in honor of martyred prisoners during the early years of Christianity. This measure helped to stop the looting and ensure their conservation.
Although the structure is seriously damaged by earthquakes and stone-cutters, the Coliseum has always been seen as an icon of Imperial Rome and is one of the best preserved examples of Roman architecture. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions of modern Rome and is still closely linked to the Roman Catholic Church, as the Pope leads the ordeal to the amphitheater every Friday.
a. In 29 C. Statilius the Roman consul was named Taurus FORMER Monona TONTON an amphitheater built on the Champ de Mars. This building was the first amphitheater large city, with all necessary facilities. This building was destroyed in the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64, with the need for a new arena for the Roman city.
The construction of the Colosseum began under the reign of Emperor Vespasian between 70 and 72 d. C. The site chosen was a flat area between the hills of Celio, Esquiline and Palatine, through which flowed a stream channeled. The site where the amphitheater was built years ago was devastated by the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD C., and taking advantage of this circumstance, Nero seized much of the land for his residence, the Domus Aurea great. It ordered the construction of an artificial lake, the Stagnum Neronis, surrounded by gardens and porches. The existing Aqua Claudia aqueduct was extended to come to this area, and the giant bronze statue called the Colossus of Nero was placed near the entrance to the Domus Aurea. This statue receives the amphitheater
coliseo.2 name The area was transformed during the reign of Vespasian and his successors. Although the Colossus was preserved, was demolished much of the Domus Aurea. The lake was filled and the land reused as the location for the new Flavian Amphitheatre. Were constructed gladiatorial schools and other buildings related to the surroundings, where once stood the Domus Aurea. According to a reconstructed inscription was found at the scene, the emperor Vespasian ordered this new amphitheater was erected using its share of the spoils as a general. This can refer to the great treasure stolen by the Romans after their victory in the Great Jewish Revolt of 70 d. C. The Coliseum can thus be interpreted as a great triumphal monument, in the tradition of celebrating the great victorias.2 Vespasian's decision to build the Colosseum on the site of Nero's lake can be seen as a popular gesture to give back to people a area of \u200b\u200bthe city which Nero had appropriated for exclusive use. Unlike many other amphitheatres, which were located on the outskirts of the city as the Military Amphitheater, the Colosseum was built right in the center of the city, placing it both literally and symbolically at the heart of Rome.
The Coliseum hosted shows like the venationes (animal fights) or noxii (executions of prisoners by animals), as well as munera: gladiator fights. It is estimated that these games were killed between 500,000 and 1,000,000 people. It also held naumachiae, spectacular naval battles requiring water to flood the arena. Is likely to be in the early years, before its building basements under the sand. The Coliseum had an advanced water piping system that allowed rapid filling and emptying the lower deck.
The identity of the architect of the building, as in general most of the Roman works, public buildings were erected for the glory of the emperor. Over the years we have discussed the names of Rabirius, Severo, Gaudencio or Apollodorus of Damascus, although it is known that the latter came to Rome in AD 105.
When Vespasian died in 79, the Coliseum was already full to the third floor. His son Titus ended higher level and opened the building in Dio Cassius says 80.1 which killed more than 9000 wild animals during the opening games of the amphitheater. Later the building was remodeled under the leadership of the younger son of Vespasian, the newly appointed emperor Domitian, who built the hypogeous, a series of underground tunnels used to house animals and slaves. He also added a gallery at the top of the Colosseum to increase its capacity.
In 217, the Colosseum was badly damaged by a major fire (caused by a thunderstorm, according to Dio Cassius) 3 that destroyed the wooden floor inside the amphitheater. Not repaired at all to 240 and continued remodeling at 250 or 252, and again in 320. An inscription records that various parts of the Colosseum was restored by Theodosius II and Valentinian III (who reigned from 425 to 450), possibly to repair the damage wrought by an earthquake in 443, and more works were performed in 484 and 508. Sand is still used for competitions well into the sixth century, recorded the last fight of gladiators in the story about 435. The hunting of animals continued at least until the year 523.
map Roman imperial era. The Colosseum appears in the upper right corner.
The Coliseum underwent major changes in use during the medieval period. In the late sixth century a small church was built within the structure of the amphitheater, but apparently did not give a religious significance to the entire building. The sand was transformed into a cemetery. The numerous spaces between the arches and under the seats became factories and shelters, and the sources were rented until the twelfth century.
During the papacy of Gregory the Great many ancient monuments were taken over by the Church, which was the only effective authority. But it lacked the resources to keep, so that fell into disrepair and theft. In the Middle Ages, the decline of the city affected all imperial monuments. The earthquakes of 801 and 847 caused major damage to a building but abandoned on the outskirts of the medieval city.
When in 1084 Pope Gregory VII was expelled from the city's many monuments fell into the hands of Roman noble families, who used them as strengths. Around 1200 the Frangipani family took over the Colosseum and fortified it, using it in a manner similar to a castle and converted it into their area of \u200b\u200binfluence. The Colosseum was changing hands until 1312, when he returned to the Church.
The great earthquake of 1349 severely damaged the structure of the Colosseum, causing the outer south side collapse. Many of these loose stones were reused to build palaces, churches (including the Vatican), hospitals and other buildings all over Rome. A religious order settled in the northern third of the Colosseum and continued to be inhabited until the early nineteenth century. The stone interior of the amphitheater was stung in excess for reuse elsewhere or (if the facade of marble) for burning lime. The bronze clamps which held the masonry were torn from the walls, leaving numerous brands. Even today, these scars can be seen in the building.
The Colosseum in Rome Medieval map
Throughout the centuries XV and XVI, travertine that covered him was pulled for reuse in other buildings. Among others, was used for the Palazzo Barberini and the Port of Ripetta. A well-known Latin saying reads Quod non fecerunt Barbari, Barberini fecerunt (not dared to do the barbarians, the Barberini did). It was also used to burn and get lime. The plundering of stones continued until 1749, when Benedict XIV consecrated the monument as a shrine in memory of the martyrs executed there (although it is believed that most of them were martyred in the Circus Maximus). One of the latest atrocities suffered the Colosseum was subject to symbolize the draft history of Italy by the military. The building that is missing in the first picture was a bomb dropped on it during the Second World War.
In the nineteenth century, however, began a series of works to stabilize many ancient monuments. In 1820 he completed several buttresses that are clearly distinguishable today, and without which the building would probably have collapsed. Throughout the century followed the consolidation and improvement works, a process that continues today.
The Colosseum is certainly one of the main attractions tour of Rome. Has been made into a film many times, highlighting the incredible digital reconstruction can be seen in Gladiator.
In 1980, UNESCO declared the historical center of Rome, including the Colosseum, a World Heritage Humanidad.4 Since 2000, the authorities maintain the building illuminated for 48 hours at a time somewhere in the world is commuted or defers death sentence to a convict.
This monument of ancient Rome has been named one of New Seven Wonders of the World, as the honorary designation held in Lisbon on July 7, 2007, under the New 7 Wonders contest, organized by the Swiss Bernard Weber , which Unesco has completely unmarked.
reinforcement Buttress
Description
The Flavian Amphitheater is a huge oval building 189 meters long by 156 wide and 57 meters high with a perimeter of the ecliptic of 524 meters. It is often said that this building has been a model for modern sports grounds, as it has a clever design and effective solutions to current problems.
Sand and hypogeous
The pitch itself was an oval of 75 by 44 feet, and was actually a platform built in wood and covered with sand. The entire basement was a complex of tunnels and dungeons (the hypogeous) which housed the gladiators, condemned men and animals. The floor had several hatches and elevators that communicated with the cellar and could be used during the show.
The plane of the sand had a complete drainage system, connected to four imposing sewer. It has been suggested that stem from the need to evacuate the water after the ship shows. But it seems that as Domitian, abandoning the idea of \u200b\u200bNaumaquia, sewers and paved the sand placed on forklifts for gladiatorial combat. The wooden deck is no longer preserved, what all the underground maze remains open today.
The outdoor hypogeous
The Roman Colosseum was perhaps the greatest work of Roman architecture, and he used the most diverse construction techniques. The pillars and arches are placed without mortar travertine. In the lower parts and in the basement was used just as tuff. Many of these stones were subjects with metal staples. The vaults hold overthe were pouring cement mortar directly on wooden sticks, an innovation which relieved the factory.
The fact that the building is located on a lake forced to dig 14 meters of silt useless and make a foundation of nearly 13 meters cementicium opus (rows of lime mortar and stones alternating).
The
overthe The spacious interior was differentiated tiers gradus, floors reserved for the different social classes:
At the podium, the first of them, sat the illustrious Roman, senators, judges , maybe priests and Vestal. At both ends of the minor axis had two separate boxes: the imperial tribune (pulvinar), and one reserved for the magistrate sometimes presided over the games. Since this floor was the closest to the beasts, had a protective metal net and archers posted regularly.
The maenianum primum, for the aristocrats who did not belong to the Senate,
The maenianum secundum, divided by the imum for wealthy citizens and the summum for the poor.
At the top was the summum maenianum in ligneis, made of wood, probably without seats reserved for poor women.
addition, some social orders, as the tribunes, priests or the militia, had reserved areas.
access from interior corridors to the stands occurred through the vomitoria, named because it allowed out an enormous amount of people in a short time. He was so well designed that the 50,000 spectators could be evacuated in little more than five minutes.
Section for
overthe The facade The facade is divided into four levels whose heights do not match the interior floors. The three levels are below the 80 arches on pilasters and half columns supporting an entablature attached purely decorative. The fourth one is a blank wall with pilasters, and windows in one of two spans.
arrays on each floor are Tuscan, Ionic and Corinthian. The top floor has an open-ended style that was ranked in the sixteenth century as a compound. It was common styles overlap in successive stages, but it was not customary to buildings with four overlapping orders. Communications between each floor is made through concentric stairs and galleries.
exterior facade
The Coliseum had a drop cloth cover operated by pulleys. This cover, made of sail cloth first and then replaced by flax (lighter) was supported by a network of ropes from which little is known. Each fabric sector could move separately from those around, and were operated by a detachment of sailors from the Roman fleet.
At the top of the facade have been identified holes in which were placed 250 wooden poles that supported the wires. Apparently the strings are anchored in the ground, because otherwise the masts would bear too much weight. To this effect had a concentric ring of stones or Inscribed pillars located at 18 meters on the front on the esplanade outside, and also allow control of the public to avoid overcrowding. The strip between the front and Inscribed pillars was paved with travertine.
Uses
The Colosseum was used for gladiator fights and a wide variety of events. The shows, called munera were always sponsored by citizens rather than by the state. They had a strong religious element but were also a demonstration of power and family influence, and proved incredibly popular with the populace. Another popular show was the hunting of animals or venatio. It used a variety of wild beasts, most imported from Africa, and included rhinos, hippos, elephants, giraffes, lions, panthers, leopards, crocodiles and ostriches. The battles and hunting scenes were represented in with movable trees and buildings. These events are sometimes held on a grand scale, said to Trajan celebrated his victories in Dacia in 107 games that included gladiatorial 11000 animals and 10000, developed for 123 days.
During the early days of the Colosseum, the classical writers said that the building was used for naumachiae (better known as navalia proelia) or simulations of naval battles. Sources tell us the inaugural game was Titus in 80 report that the lower floor was filled with water to show previously trained horses and bulls swim. We also have a recreation of a famous naval battle between the Greeks of Corfu and the Corinthians. This has been the subject of debate for historians, because, although water filled the building had not been problems, it is unclear how they could have made the sand was waterproof, or if there was space enough so that the ships of war moviesen. It has been suggested that the sources speak of another place or that the Colosseum originally was a broad canal which was flooded to its central axis, and subsequently have been replaced by the hypogeous. The poet Martial
also echoed those opening games, and more specifically, describes a gladiatorial fight would go down in history, Vero and Prisco. Both fought to exhaustion before the emperor Tito, but neither came to prevail over the other. Such determination and resilience was rewarded with the public outcry that led to Caesar to spare. So exceptional was the fact that Martial picked him up in his work Liber spectaculorum.
were also Sylva or recreations of natural landscapes in the sand. Painters, technicians and architects built a simulation of a forest with real trees and shrubs were planted on the floor of the arena. Put animals to populate the landscape and amaze the crowd. These scenarios could have been used simply to display a natural environment to the urban population, or as a backdrop for hunting or work that told mythological episodes. Occasionally also used for executions in which the hero of the story, played by the condemned man, was murdered in a horrible but true mythological being devoured by beasts or burned to death.
Pollice Verso ("Thumbs Down") by Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1872
The Colosseum, now
Today, the Colosseum is the biggest tourist attraction Rome and pay thousands of tourists each year come and see the sand. It is located a museum dedicated to the Greek god Eros, on the top floor the building. Part of the floor of the arena has been reconstructed.
One of the current applications of the Colosseum, is the Via Crucis procession, headed by the pope, held every Friday.
Christians and the Colosseum
long been considered the Coliseum as the scene of many early Christian martyrs. However, this belief seems to have emerged only during the sixteenth century. Roman sources and the Middle Ages refer to Christian martyrdom in Rome more vaguely described (in the amphitheater, sand, etc) but without specifying which, had, in fact, many stadiums, amphitheaters and circuses in Rome. A It is often said that St. Telemachus, for example, died in the Coliseum, but Theodoret, in his writings about the killing, said he died at the stadium (eis to stadio). The Martyrdom of St. Ignatius of Antioch was in "sand", according to sources, but without specifying what sand.
In the Middle Ages, the Colosseum was certainly not seen as a sacred place. Its use as a fortress and then as a quarry demonstrates how little spiritual importance was attributed, in a time when sites associated with martyrs were highly venerated. Was not included in the itinerary together for the use of pilgrims nor in works such as the Mirabilia Urbis Romae ("Marvels of Rome") XII century, which says that the Circus Flaminius, and not the Coliseum, was the place where these martyrdoms. Part of the structure was inhabited by a Christian order, but apparently had no religious or spiritual reasons to live there.
seems that only during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries was considered a holy place to the Coliseum. It is said that Pope Pius V (1566-1572) recommended that pilgrims gather sand from the Colosseum like a relic, as it was steeped in the blood of the martyrs. This surely was a minority view until it became popular almost a century later by Fioravante Martinelli, including the Colosseum at the head of a list of holy places because of the tortures on them were held in Rome ex Ethnica sacred book of 1653.
Obviously, Martellini book had a clear effect on public opinion in response to the proposal made some years after Cardinal Altieri of converting the Coliseum into a bullring, Carlo Tomassi published a pamphlet in protest to what considered a desecration. The ensuing controversy persuaded Pope Clement X to close the Colosseum's external arcades and declare the Christian sanctuary, although the debate about how sacred was the building would continue for some time.
At the request of St. Leonard of Port Maurice, Pope Benedict XIV (1740-1758) forbidden to be used the Colosseum as a quarry and a Via Crucis erected around the arena, which permació there until February 1874. St. Benedict Joseph Labre spent the last years of his life behind the walls of the Colosseum, living off the charity of the faithful, until his death in 1783. Several nineteenth-century popes ordered repair work and restoration in the Coliseum, so the building still retains a connection with Christianity. Crosses were placed at various points around the arena and every Good Friday the Pope leads a procession to the amphitheater in memory of Christian martyrs.
Anfiteatro Flavio Registration la que figuran los trabajos de restauración del edificio realizados durante cada papado.
YOSEPH BUITRAGO C.I. 18257871 CRF
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