1. THE FLAVIANS – Rome’s First Family 69-96AD
Vespasian
Titus
Domitian
Achievements:
Brought stability to Rome after the disastrous reign of Nero and the following ‘Year of 4 Emperors’
Built the Colosseum and other public works
Unfortunately, Domitian was a megalomaniac

3. THE COLOSSEUM (FLAVIAN AMPHITHEATRE)
Date: 70-82AD
Flavian: After the family of Emperors that built it.
Colosseum: After the neighbouring statue of Nero (‘The Colossus’)
Location: * Rome, on the former site of Nero’s private lake
* Chosen to show Flavians were Emperors ‘for the people’, by using Emperor’s land for public facility.
Preparation of the site: Draining lake – deep foundations could be dug and water supply used for flooding arena for naval battles
Height: 48.5m
Capacity: 50,000-70,000 spectators
Materials: Travertine foundations, façade and stairways, concrete sub-structure, marble (to 3rd level) and wood (4th level) seating.

4. THE FLAVIANS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
Vespasian:
Responsible for design most of construction
Titus:
Finished the Colosseum and held 100 days of Games to celebrate
Domitian:
Added high wall for fourth level.

5. THE COLOSSEUM - EXTERIOR

6. Arches on 2nd and 3rd levels decorated with statues
Poles to hold ropes for velarium (awning)
80 entrances – ‘tickets’ would have number of entrance and seat on them

7. THE EXTERIOR FACADE
4TH LEVEL: Corinthian pilasters (rectangular engaged columns)
3rd LEVEL: Engaged Corinthian Columns
2nd LEVEL: Engaged Ionic Columns
1st LEVEL: Engaged Doric columns

8. ELEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTION (Right Side and Below)
Fourth floor had just one corridor in the form of a colonnaded gallery.
Two sets of circular barrel-vaulted corridors on the first three levels
Bollards around buildings held ropes supporting the internal awning.
Pier bases were 2 cubic metres thick.
Radial barrel-vaulted corridors to seating

9. Reconstructions - Exterior

10. THE COLOSSEUM - INTERIOR

11. Reconstruction - Interior

12. Arena floor was made of wood and covered with sand.
The sub-structure under the arena floor – a system of passages that allowed trainers to move ‘performers’ to points of entry.
Once in position, hidden gangplanks and pulleys allowed entry to the arena floor at different points.

13. Velarium provided shade or rain protection

14. Colonnaded gallery
5m wall to separate classes of seating
Circular barrel-vaults
Entrances from vomitoria (corridors under seating)

15. ASSISTING THE TRAFFIC FLOW
This is a barrel-vaulted ceiling
76 of the exterior archways were public entranceways - formed radial corridors to stairways and seating. Also extra strong.
The circular barrel-vaulted corridors were both strong weight-bearers and enhanced mobility

16. THE SEATING AND ROMAN SOCIETY
4th LEVEL: colonnaded gallery with standing room. Wooden seats for women underneath.
3rd LEVEL: 16 rows of marble seating – Middle Classes
2nd LEVEL: 20 rows of marble seating. Upper Classes
1st LEVEL: entrance to arena and official boxes

19. Homework Exercise
“How does the form (design) of the Colosseum reflect its function?”
Points to cover:
Entertainment features
Access for spectators
Seating for all classes
Designed for strength