The Coliseum: Building the Arena of Death
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The Coliseum: Building the Arena of Death
Engineering Project Management
INTRODUCTION:
Project management has existed in some form for thousands of years. After all anything that requires an approach where humans organize effectively to plan and achieve specific objectives can be loosely defined as a project. How else would humans have achieved some of the worlds most stunning wonders and achievements. Examples include, the Great Pyramid of Giza (2,550 B.C.) and the Great Wall of China (221 B.C. - 206 B.C.). These projects were made possible with the development of simple tools like wheels and levers, and wedges, around 3000 BC. The pace of development continued in and around the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Asia Minor. This led to projects like those that created the Roman Coliseum, 80 A.D. In the following examination of the building of The Coliseum we will consider how the project management principles shaped the design, and construction of one of history’s greatest monuments. First we will cover some basic historical background of The Coliseum, following with a discussion of some of the architectural aspects of the structure, and design concepts, next, we will cover the project management principles utilized in the construction of The Coliseum, and the ongoing restoration projects.
BACKGROUND:
The Coliseum or Flavian Amphitheater was begun by Vespasian in 70 A.D., inaugurated by Titus in 80 A.D. with a week long event during which 5,000 men and countless animals were killed. Given the scale of the enterprise it was built remarkably quickly. Its monumental size and grandeur as well as its practical and efficient organization for producing spectacles and controlling the large crowds make it one of the greatest architectural monuments achieved by the ancient Romans. Over-engineered perhaps, but it has stood the test of time.
DESIGN, ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION:
The name of the architect is unknown, but by analogy with what
The Coliseum: Building the Arena of Death
Engineering Project Management
INTRODUCTION:
Project management has existed in some form for thousands of years. After all anything that requires an approach where humans organize effectively to plan and achieve specific objectives can be loosely defined as a project. How else would humans have achieved some of the worlds most stunning wonders and achievements. Examples include, the Great Pyramid of Giza (2,550 B.C.) and the Great Wall of China (221 B.C. - 206 B.C.). These projects were made possible with the development of simple tools like wheels and levers, and wedges, around 3000 BC. The pace of development continued in and around the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Asia Minor. This led to projects like those that created the Roman Coliseum, 80 A.D. In the following examination of the building of The Coliseum we will consider how the project management principles shaped the design, and construction of one of history’s greatest monuments. First we will cover some basic historical background of The Coliseum, following with a discussion of some of the architectural aspects of the structure, and design concepts, next, we will cover the project management principles utilized in the construction of The Coliseum, and the ongoing restoration projects.
BACKGROUND:
The Coliseum or Flavian Amphitheater was begun by Vespasian in 70 A.D., inaugurated by Titus in 80 A.D. with a week long event during which 5,000 men and countless animals were killed. Given the scale of the enterprise it was built remarkably quickly. Its monumental size and grandeur as well as its practical and efficient organization for producing spectacles and controlling the large crowds make it one of the greatest architectural monuments achieved by the ancient Romans. Over-engineered perhaps, but it has stood the test of time.
DESIGN, ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION:
The name of the architect is unknown, but by analogy with what
Cited: The British Broadcasting Company, February 2007, http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/ Project Management in the Past, February 2007, http://www.lessons-from-history.com/ Great Buildings.com, February 2007, http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Roman_Colosseum.html Thecoliseum.net, February 2007, http://www.the-colosseum.net/games/glad2.htm Modern Marvels: The Coliseum DVD, The History Channel Rome: Engineering an Empire DVD, The History Channel