Roman Colosseum Research Paper

I chose the Roman Colosseum as my public place. The Colosseum (pg.144) began to be built in 72 CE during the reign of Vespasian and continued into the dictatorship of Titus in 80 CE. This was Rome’s greatest arena, which held about 50,000 observers. It has never been improved upon, as you can see most of the top two stories are missing. The function of this building was for entertainment purposes, It is said that the opening performance lasted 100 days, during which 9,000 animals and 2,000 gladiators died. The Romans really loved blood sports, it is crazy to imagine that, especially having children witnessing these events.

The Colosseum was built entirely of travertine and tufa blocks and of concrete faced with stone. It had three levels of arcades, followed by the fourth attic level. Each level consists of a different architectural order, and becomes increasingly decorative as it rises. It is a wonderfully constructed piece of architecture, which has been visited by people around the world since its days of opening. The arches are the first thing you notice when you look at it, they are beautiful and perfectly
symmetrical spanning completely around the building.

For a private place I choose the house of Vetti (pg.140), built by brothers A. Vettius Conviva and A. Vettius Restitutus who were freed slaves, during 62-79 CE. It was a luxurious Pompeian townhouse, which were lived in by the wealthiest of people, in the city of Pompeii that was thriving with between 10,000 to 20,000 people.You can tell the people that once lived their valued their privacy and decorative surroundings, and were of a high class a culturally structured. The outside is quite simple, with a few a smooth finish. It had a couple of windows, and they entered through a vestibule, or hallway that lead into the courtyard. This house consisted of small rooms laid out around an open court which served as a lush garden, that flourished all year round because of the mild climate. The walls were made of a smoothed plaster with a few architectural moldings, the plain surfaces welcomed artist to create wall paintings from a solution of lime and soap. When they were completed the would then be polished. Some of the best preserved Roman wall paintings were found in this house.

The differences between these two structures are quite significant, even though they are both built by Romans.
The house is architecturally simple, yet decorated with paintings and a garden to make it attractive. While the Colosseum has different kinds of architecture, emphasizing on the arches and having creative detail worked into every inch. Also the House of Vetti was built to be lived in,and was visited only by whomever the Vettius brothers invited over. It did not get famous until after they discovered the paintings at the end of the nineteenth century. While the Colosseums function has always been for thousands of people to go and enjoy themselves. Both structures beautiful, the colosseum has always been on my list of places to see in the world. I hope to have the chance to visit these places, and be inspired by all that Rome has to
offer.