The Flavian Amphitheater (or il Colosseo)

Benvenuti!
Oggi (Today), my two classes, world civ 1 and art history, were combined again. I listened to Professor Jacobs and Professor McCoy each give their own lecture about the Colosseum. Professor McCoy talked about the background to how the Colosseum came to be built. It was important for emperors to hold games to gain political support and when the Flavian Dynasty came to rule they began the construction of the "Flavian Amphitheater" on top of where the previous emperor's lake used to be. It was important for them to put in the first permanent building for games to affirm their legitimacy of power. He also informed us it actually opened under the time of Titus's rule and it helped relieve some of the negative feelings toward him. The structure of the Colosseum also shows the stratification of the Roman society because the elites sat at ground level to see the gladiators up close, while the women and children sat up at the top. So, the higher you were in the amphitheater  the lower in status you were. Psychologically, the structure is very enclosed and portrays how the emperors wanted to be in control of the viewers. Professor Jacobs talked about the Roman architecture represented in the Colosseum such as the various arches, vaults, types of columns, use of concrete, and how the arch allows for wider openings. She also noted that the concrete would have been covered in marble. The grandeur of the Colosseum when you're standing right next to it really captures the emperors' expression of power over the people of Rome. I had no idea all the thoughts and ideas behind all the structures here in Rome and I am so privileged to have our knowledgeable professors on the trip to teach us about them.

After the Colosseum a few of us went with Professor McCoy to see the Circus Maximus and  there is not much left at all. There's not much of the structure and it's mostly just a grassy area in the shape of where it had been. In it they would have had chariot races, and executions among other things. However, Professor McCoy pointed out how the emperor's palace was right next to it and it really emphasized the imperial rule by the fact that the emperor could come to his box at the game or he could just sit in his palace and look out at the people and the races...

I think it is time for another grocery run today! I would like to also note that I have been getting back and forth from my apartment and the campus with no more mistakes, winning!

Grazie e ciao!

This is the lower part underground (without the floor covering it). This is where the animals would be caged and the gladiators waiting and they would be raised up by sets of pulleys.

Hahaha oh Nick. He's been taking candid shots of us so I took one of him! ;)

It's so large! So sad that there's not more of it left. Sometimes it was hard to imagine where more of the structure would have been like the seats.

Davis taking it all in while Professor Jacobs on his left is teaching.

Roman Forum or the central public place and marketplace

Titus's Arch

Constantine's Arch

Taking a sitting break from all the walking! (L-R) Davis, Krissy, Meredith, Ellie

Adventures!!

This picture goes with the other column pictures below but it is the Doric style of column featured on the bottom of the Colosseum.

What's left of Circus Maximus

The emperor's palace looking down on the Circus Maximus and our group down on the right corner.

Temple of Portunus, has a Greek style front with the columns but you can enter it unlike the Greek temples and the rear has engaged columns where they are touching the wall.

This is the Ionic style column on the second level on the outside of the Colosseum.

This is the Corinthian style column on the third level on the outside of the Colosseum.

Lots of framing! The inner window looks into the Colosseum.

Walking along the inside of the Colosseum