 It
was definitely not the place where the good Christians were thrown to the
lions. Nevertheless it is one of Rome's most spectacular structures. The
place where the rulers 'garnered' approbation of the public, it featured
endless games specially designed to tickle the sadistic nature .And as the
Empire became larger and the problems became more acute and immediate, the
games increased their cruelty quotient. After all, a public, distracted from
the quotidian problems proves to be an invaluable asset.
HISTORY:
Originally called the amphitheatre Flavian or the Colosseum, it
was built by the Flavian emperors to appease the Roman citizens. The
existing facility was getting dilapidated and the Flavian dynasty needed to
buy peace. So the land taken by Nero was snatched back and a coliseum built
at the side of an artificial lake at his residence. It was in use for about
4½ centuries and went through many vicissitudes including thunderbolts and
earthquakes and before wounding up in 523. The changing public taste played
a part, but it was more of a case of financial crunch. The growing military
crises needed deployment of vast resources, and the invasions were draining
the empire. The games had become more or less financially unfeasible.
STRUCTURE:
It is almost an eclipse. The structure stands at base of 2
steps and above it 3 floors of arcades constructed in travertine stone and a
fourth storey with windows. 80 arches adorn every floor and are divided by
pillars with a half column. The main entrances were the 4 arches on the axes
and are marked by a statue and a porch. Only 31 arches remain out of these.
While the Doric style predominates in the ground floor, the Ionic style is
clearly visible on the second. The arena of the games is 76 x 44 mts and is
made of wood covered by yellow sand. Other building material includes -Tufa
blocks, bricks and opus cementicium (concrete made of small lumps of tufa in
mortar.
The passages were decorated with paintings and stuccos. Inside
the seating was done in travertine and was raised at 3.6 mt above the arena.
All services needed for the games were nearby including the cages lifts and
trap doors. The gates, stairs and corridors were designed to allow easy
entry and exit to the spectators.
On your travel to Italy you can only see the north side of the
outer walls and practically the whole skeleton as well as the structure
between the inner wall and the arena.
Games:
In this amphitheatre were held the games, the most popular
being venatories (hunts) and numera (gladiatorial games). The ruling class
by ambition and law had to organize the games. The emperor often organized
the game to get social sanction to his policy of inaction elsewhere.
The Ludi Circenses, or chariot races topped the popularity
charts with naval battles reproduced within special facilities or Naumachiae,
coming a close record.
Ludi Gladiatori or Gladiatorial conquests were less frequent
but enormously popular - reproductions. The Naumachiae were reproductions of
famous naval battles and were abominably expensive. Floods as well as ships
were often brought in and the real sailors employed. The Numera became a
symbol of the power of aristocrats and were often used by the nobles to
appease the public. Special days were set aside for the games though
eventually everyday became a Sunday.
The greatest amphitheatre is the symbol of both the grand and
the cruel. It is indeed an architectural wonder and has seldom been matched
since. On your travel to Italy, stop at the arch of Constantinople and take
a snap shot of history.
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