Rome’s Major Urban Structures

This structure is elliptical in shape, has a long axis, and oriented WSW-ENE measuring 188 meters, with the short one measuring 156 meters (The Colosseum.net, 2018). On the base where the structure stands, are two steps. The first three floors have arches while the fourth floor has no arches but has a small rectangular window. Each floor is comprised of 80 arches, set apart by half a column. The main entrances of the building had four arches, decorated with a little porch and statue. The other 76 arches had numbers indicated for an easier access to the seats. All around the first three floors, there were circular promenades that were useful in covering the public from harsh environmental conditions such as rain.

One of the aspects of the Colosseum is the arena where the show took place that measures 76 by 44 meters and has a wooden plank on the floor (The Colosseum.net, 2018). A wall called podium surrounded the area and was colored differently for different shows. For instance, during normal shows, it was covered with yellow sand and during the special occasions, it was covered with specialty sand or mixed with speckles of glittering minerals. The arena had two entrances – the NW gate and the SE gates. Compared with the Colosseum, the arena of the modern stadiums may be customized to handle different games such as soccer, football, baseball, and athletics. The modern stadiums follow the oval design of the Colosseum with the spectators being accommodated around the arena.

Another important aspect about the Colosseum is the sockets. These were located at the top of the structure. They were used to hold the 240 wooden beams that supported the awning that provided a cover for the spectators from the sun (The Colosseum.net, 2018). A unit of sailors of the imperial fleet controlled it. Unlike the Colosseum, the modern stadiums are mainly constructed with steel, metal, and iron for anchorage and some are fully covered or with an adjustable rooftop. The Colosseum could not be fully covered as it required sunlight to light it up, unlike modern stadiums that may be lit using electricity thereby accommodating games at night.

ReferencesThe Colosseum.net. (2018). Description. Retrieved from http://www.the-colosseum.net/architecture/descriptio_en.htm