Roman Architecture A Tapir Production by Mr. Kahn for WCMS Social Studies.

Roman Architecture

A Tapir ProductionA Tapir Production

by

Mr. Kahnfor

WCMS Social Studies

Stadiums

• A stadium is a large public facility for watching sports or other entertainment

• Important design features include:– Simple entrance & exit– Comfort for spectators– Functional facilities for the events

Stadiums

• Modern stadiums take many forms, but are, for the most part, alike in many ways

Ohio Stadium

This is a LARGE open stadium which seats over 100,000 fans.

Notice the access points for spectators to go to their seats

Azteca Stadium, Mexico City

This stadium has a different feature for the comfort of the spectators.

What is it?

Saltlake Stadium, Calcutta

This is another stadium which provides shade for the spectators.

Glendale Stadium, Phoenix

This stadium has a moveable roof panel.

What common features have you noticed about these stadiums?

Ancient Greece

The Greeks did not have great stadiums for sporting events. They did, however, have huge amphitheatres for plays.

Seating

Stage

The Romans adapted this idea for larger events

By making a second amphitheatre as a mirror image of the first, a stadium was born.

The Flavian Amphitheatre

This stadium, also known as the Colosseum is one of the best-known structures in the world.

Notice the similarities to the other stadiums we have seen.


The Colosseum seated between 45,000 and 50,000 spectators.


There were many tiers of seats, with easy entryways to allow access.

There were also covered walkways beneath the seats.


Even though what we see today is mostly in ruins, we know what this incredible building looked like when it was built, around 98 AD.


The structure was 620 feet long, 512 feet wide, and 158 feet high.

More than 1.1 million tons of stone, bricks & concrete were used in construction.


There was a great silk drape, called the velaria, which could be drawn over the open top to act as a sun shade. This was secured by ropes on 250 masts and rigged by 1,000 sailors.


There were 76 public entrances and, though events were free, spectators needed a numbered ticket which directed them to the correct entrance.


The open area you see at the base of the Colosseum was covered by a wooden floor, 177 feet wide, which would have been covered by sand.


The exposed area you see, which would have been covered by the floor, consisted of rooms and cages, and nearly a mile of passages which led to elevators and 32 trapdoors in the arena floor.


There were many levels under the Colosseum, and mechanical hoists and ramps would lead animals and gladiators to the trapdoors in the arena floor.


When it was first built, these underground chambers were not yet included in the plans. The floor was sometimes flooded and sea battles were staged inside the Colosseum!

Ancient Rome

The Colosseum was only part of the center of ancient Rome. As you can see on this map, this great stadium anchored one end of the Forum. In the lower right, you see another sports venue, the Circus Maximus.

Ancient Rome

This model gives you an idea about the layout of Rome, and how the Colosseum fit into the city.

Ancient Rome

The Forum was the center of Roman government and commerce. Many government buildings, monuments, and markets were there.

Ancient Rome

Today, the Forum is one of the largest historic areas in Rome. Though the ruins are only a skeleton of what was there, you can imagine the grandeur of this space.

Circus Maximus

Don’t think that we have cornered the market on horse racing. The Romans had a racetrack that held 250,000 spectators.

This area is the site of the Circus Maximus.

Circus Maximus

The Circus Maximus was used for chariot races. It was 2,000 feet long, and had starting gates for the chariots.

Circus Maximus

You can still see the outline of this huge track from the air, but most of the structure is gone.

Does this look much like a racetrack of today?

Circus Maximus

Imagine yourself in the stands at this incredible facility, cheering on your favorite charioteer. These men either became very wealthy with success, or very dead with failure.

Circus Maximus

The ruins of the Circus Maximus don’t look as impressive if you don’t know the glory of what was there.

The Pantheon

The Pantheon was built in 128 AD as a temple to all the gods.

The concrete dome is one of the wonders of ancient Rome.

The Pantheon

The Romans pioneered the use of concrete in construction.

The roof,the oldest dome in existence, is made of concrete.

The Pantheon

The open space beneath the dome is one of the grandest in the ancient world. It is lit by sunlight streaming through an 8 meter wide hole in the roof called the oculus.

The Pantheon

The dome of the Pantheon is 144 feet in diameter and soars to a height of 144 feet. It is made of non-reinforced concrete.

What design features do you notice, and what would be their effect?

I hope you have enjoyed this visit to ancient Rome.

All photos are public domain unless otherwise noted.

Roman Architecture A Tapir Production by Mr. Kahn for WCMS Social Studies.

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