How did the design of the Colosseum relate to its public function and to its symbolic meaning?

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How did the design of the Colosseum relate to its public function and to its symbolic meaning?

The design of the Colosseum (Plates 75, 76 and 78) display the five Greek orders of the Colosseum’s structure: Dorac, Tuscan, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite. These provide the framework for the divisions. Each level contains a different order that satisfy three requirements by the Roman engineer Vitruvius (p.54): commodity, firmness and delight. The Doric and Tuscan orders give the appearance of sturdiness; whereas the Ionic, Corinthian and Composite give an elegant and rich look.

The Colosseum is erected on structures consisting of walls and pillars (Plates 46, 78, and Colour Plate 29) that are thick enough to withstand an incredible weight for instance tons of concrete as well as 50,000 spectators. The strong vaults and arches supplied most of the strength that created the arcades, (Plates 42 and 77) these evoked symbolism of the strength and power of Imperial Rome. The space here was used to store props, animals and prisoners.

The oval shape provided plenty of space, five-levelled tiered seating granted visibility, a velarium shaded the spectators from the sun, and thirteen-foot podiums with top rollers prevented beasts from climbing—all of these were issues of safety.

The seating plan was imperative to hierarchy, with the emperor seated in the centre, which was securely separated from the crowd yet visible to all. The consul, vestal virgins etc. also had their secured seating area. The women and slaves were located to the top tier only.

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For safety, access routes were planned carefully to control the crowd, honeycombed stairwells reached different levels and the 76 arched entrances were numbered, each organized by social standing, such as the upper levels for the commoners were simple and undecorated, while the entrances used by the emperor was decorated with marble panelling.

The Colosseum suggests splendour and grandeur of the society in Rome whereas the central locality signifies the emperor’s patronage and power.

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