Entertainment Podium

The Colosseum

The Colosseum is one of the awe-inspiring architectural marvels given by the Romans to the world. The Colosseum served as an amphi-theater for staging gladiatorial spectacles that were witnessed by the highly ranked Romans and other citizens.

The Colosseum was commenced by Vespasian and inaugurated by Titus in 80AD. The plan of the Colosseum was an ellipse measuring 188mx156m. It was designed to hold 50000 spectators and it is believed that some of the ideas incorporated in the design of the Colosseum are from the ‘Theatre of Marcellus’. The Colosseum has eighty radial walls which are reflected in the exterior as the three tiers of arcades. There is direct access to the first two tiers of seating corresponding inside while the third tier, separated from the other two tiers create the innermost level. Underneath the main space used for sports, there are passageways and dens required for the animals that were used at the arena. The columns on the exterior were doric, ionic and corinthian in the first, second and third storeys respectively. Above these storeys, there is a deep attic storey with a square window in alternate bays. A canopy called ‘velarium’ was built at the top to provide shade.

The Colosseum now stands ruptured due to earthquake and extraction of construction materials from it in the past, that were used for building other structures. The seats were originally made of marble and timber which have also worn out. It is being preserved with great care now as a building of immense historical and aesthetic values.

Tags: amphitheatre, architecture, colosseum, roman architecture, seven wonders of the world

Architecture

What is Architecture? As many books put it “Architecture cannot be explained”. Its about how different people look at it. Is it something that just gives pleasure to your eyes or is it something you really live in or both? Well.. this is a never ending conflict that has been going on ever since man started constructing. From the caves of the ancient times to the Petronas, we have seen architecture take wild turns and a number of styles fighting for universal acceptance.

Everything  is transient and architecture is no exception. And now it all comes down to the contemporary style, a new era that will be talked about some years down the line. Nothing is right or wrong about architecture. Its all relative!!!

Tags: architect, architecture