ART 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Retractable Roof, Groin Vault, Barrel Vault
Document Summary
The columns are purely decorative and provide no support. The columns its self are symbolic- they would link heaven and earth together. Roman concrete construction: barrel vault, groin vault, fenestrated sequence of groin vaults, hemispherical dome with oculus. Once the triangular/wedged block is put in the top of the arch, it becomes stable. Early 1st century ce (perhaps a copy of a bronze statue of c. 20 bce) The emperor took the water in his lake on the palace grounds and used it for the colosseum, a public spectacle. Used less expensive building materials as the colosseum got taller. Took 2 greek amphitheaters and combined them to make a 360o theatre. Had a retractable roof for when it was hot. There are several water channels beneath the colosseum that could and were used to drain and flood the floor of the colosseum. Had trap doors for gladiators and animals to come out on the floor and kill their enemies.
