There are so many things which the Romans are famous
for. We all have heard of the great Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, and maybe even
the Pantheon. However, do you known what they were used for, and what they looked
like in the past? Well in this section of Architecture Through the Ages, you will find
out. So, please continue, and see the famous Roman structures in the past, and in the
present.
Probably the best known structure in all
of Rome is the Colosseum. In this building, long ago, the Romans played all types of games
and held many shows. Some of these games included gladiatorial combats and wild beast
hunts.
In this huge building, there were numerous entrances, broad corridors, stairways,
carefully planned passages of access, and six tiers of seats where the audience could
watch comfortably. Underneath the Colosseum, there were huge rooms so they could place all
of their storage in a well guarded area.
But alas, the great Colosseum went down during the 13th and 14th
century because of violent earthquakes. These earthquakes shook a considerable part of the
outer arcade and there was a great heap of fallen material for many years. But earthquakes
are not the only things that helped to ruin the Colosseum. Pollution and human
mistreatment have also had a role in breaking apart this architectural wonder. If you
would like to learn more about the Colosseum, try this page.
Inside the Colosseum, it is in worse shape than the outside. The once great inside which
housed games and shows had rows and rows of seats, a roof, and many doorways. All are now
all but a fond memory. You cannot even see the original floor where all of the fighting
and shows took place. However, not all of those things are gone but they are hard to find.
Most of it has disappeared because of the earthquakes, pollution, and human mistreatment.
The great square of the Colosseum had
everything from statues, parks, gardens, various subsidiary buildings and even a small
lake. The Temple of Venus and Rome were also built in the square. Other great buildings
and structures that were built here were the Colossus of Nero, the Meta Sudans, which is a giant fountain, and the Arch of
Constantine. The Meta Sudans looks like one of the metae of turning points in the Circus
Maximus round which the racing chariots had to drive around. This consisted of statues
cone standing in a large round basin, veneered in marble and was richly adorned with
niches and statues. This is just one little area of the Great Square of the Colosseum; the
other buildings were much more detailed and elaborate. This was the place where the people
gathered and talked before they entered the Colosseum.
In the Forum of Caesar, it was Caesar who decided to construct a new Forum beside the old,
in order to extend the political cement of Rome. In this section of Rome, you can see that
in the past, there were great temples with columns of all sorts. There were arches, and
many other fascinating architectural aspects. But all that remains now is a part of a
column and a little of a smaller temple and a lot of rubble.
This very interesting area of Rome is where
horse races were held. As seen in many movies, competition was very fierce here.
This monstrous building contained 300,000
seats, was famous throughout the ancient world, and was occasionally given hunts and mock
battles. Down the center of the track, there were many columns, pillars, and a few little
arches. In addition, there were a few fountains and two small temples. These temples were
equipped respectively with seven large eggs and several dolphins. There were removed one
by one, during the course of the race to keep the charioteers and the public informed of
the number of laps already run. But, the thing that even made the Egyptians envious was
the huge obelisks located in the center of the small stretch of land.
The area in front of both Forums, this was the gathering place and
"recreation area" for the old and Cesar Forum. There is not much information on
this part of Rome. We do know that it was located between the Temple of Juno and the
Temple of Jupiter. It is a rectangular area which was 103X46 m. and was raised above the
level of the Forum on a stepped platform. In the central nave, sat the Tribunal of 180
judges. In front of the basilica, there are several large bases on which stood honorary
columns dedicated to famous people.
This splendid temple was erected to honor the Olympian
gods, especially Mars and Venus, who were protectors of the Julian House. The name,
Pantheon, *means of all gods*.
The product that you see today is the reconstructed Pantheon, perhaps
undertaken after a fire. The great circular hall, roofed by a hemispherical vault with an
opening at the center 9 m. in diameter, is due entirely to the reconstruction. The inside
has a diameter of 42.75 m., equal to the greatest height of the building.
All sixteen columns of the Pronaos are monoliths of Egyptian granite.
There were inscriptions which were made in bronze letters on the architrave records the
foundation with its writing. The pediment was decorated with reliefs in gilt bronze as
also was the internal trabeations of the Pronaos.
The interior is in better condition. It is still in its original form
and in this respect is unique among the monuments of antiquity. They only changes in
addition of altars and the modern statues. Lets hope that the interior can still maintain
its form in the future.
The Circular Temple located
in the left of the picture is a building in the Corinthian style (capitals with acanthus
leaves) has survived almost complete in its Augustan form. The plan is circular like that
of Vesta in the Forum Romanum (no pictures available). The name of the divinity to whom it
was dedicated cannot be determined with any certainty. The traditional attribution to
Vesta is certainly mistaken.
The Rectangular Temple on
the right is Ionic in style (capitals with characteristic volutes) and is built of tufa
and travertine with a superficial coating of stucco( bonding material). It stands on a
lofty podium in the Republican manner. It may have been built between 100 and 80 B. C. and
dedicated to the Portunus, the patron divinity of the port.
Bibliography::
1. Staccioli, Prof. R. A., Rome: Past and Present, Italy,
Visions, 1962
There are so many things which the Romans are famous
for. We all have heard of the great Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, and maybe even
the Pantheon. However, do you known what they were used for, and what they looked
like in the past? Well in this section of Architecture Through the Ages, you will find
out. So, please continue, and see the famous Roman structures in the past, and in the
present. 
Probably the best known structure in all
of Rome is the Colosseum. In this building, long ago, the Romans played all types of games
and held many shows. Some of these games included gladiatorial combats and wild beast
hunts. 
Inside the Colosseum, it is in worse shape than the outside. The once great inside which
housed games and shows had rows and rows of seats, a roof, and many doorways. All are now
all but a fond memory. You cannot even see the original floor where all of the fighting
and shows took place. However, not all of those things are gone but they are hard to find.
Most of it has disappeared because of the earthquakes, pollution, and human mistreatment.
The great square of the Colosseum had
everything from statues, parks, gardens, various subsidiary buildings and even a small
lake. The Temple of Venus and Rome were also built in the square. Other great buildings
and structures that were built here were the Colossus 
of Nero, the Meta Sudans, which is a giant fountain, and the Arch of
Constantine. The Meta Sudans looks like one of the metae of turning points in the Circus
Maximus round which the racing chariots had to drive around. This consisted of statues
cone standing in a large round basin, veneered in marble and was richly adorned with
niches and statues. This is just one little area of the Great Square of the Colosseum; the
other buildings were much more detailed and elaborate. This was the place where the people
gathered and talked before they entered the Colosseum.
In the Forum of Caesar, it was Caesar who decided to construct a new Forum beside the old,
in order to extend the political cement of Rome. In this section of Rome, you can see that
in the past, there were great temples with columns of all sorts. There were arches, and
many other fascinating architectural aspects. But all that remains now is a part of a
column and a little of a smaller temple and a lot of rubble. 
This very interesting area of Rome is where
horse races were held. As seen in many movies, competition was very fierce here.
This monstrous building contained 300,000
seats, was famous throughout the ancient world, and was occasionally given hunts and mock
battles. Down the center of the track, there were many columns, pillars, and a few little
arches. In addition, there were a few fountains and two small temples. These temples were
equipped respectively with seven large eggs and several dolphins. There were removed one
by one, during the course of the race to keep the charioteers and the public informed of
the number of laps already run. But, the thing that even made the Egyptians envious was
the huge obelisks located in the center of the small stretch of land. 
The area in front of both Forums, this was the gathering place and
"recreation area" for the old and Cesar Forum. There is not much information on
this part of Rome. We do know that it was located between the Temple of Juno and the
Temple of Jupiter. It is a rectangular area which was 103X46 m. and was raised above the
level of the Forum on a stepped platform. In the central nave, sat the Tribunal of 180
judges. In front of the basilica, there are several large bases on which stood honorary
columns dedicated to famous people.
This splendid temple was erected to honor the Olympian
gods, especially Mars and Venus, who were protectors of the Julian House. The name,
Pantheon, *means of all gods*. 
The Circular Temple located
in the left of the picture is a building in the Corinthian style (capitals with acanthus
leaves) has survived almost complete in its Augustan form. The plan is circular like that
of Vesta in the Forum Romanum (no pictures available). The name of the divinity to whom it
was dedicated cannot be determined with any certainty. The traditional attribution to
Vesta is certainly mistaken. 
The Rectangular Temple on
the right is Ionic in style (capitals with characteristic volutes) and is built of tufa
and travertine with a superficial coating of stucco( bonding material). It stands on a
lofty podium in the Republican manner. It may have been built between 100 and 80 B. C. and
dedicated to the Portunus, the patron divinity of the port.