By Closely linked to the rise of the empire is the Romanesque architecture between 509 BC, until approximately the fourth century AD, and with it his masterpiece The Colosseum.
On the thresholds you can see the strong Etruscan and Greek influence, the Punic Wars, which gave rise to architectural cultural forms with their own stamp, a combination of the monumental grandeur of classical architecture with the advanced engineering of the time where the constructions of road and the aqueduct.
From constructions of columns and lintels, now massive walls with arches and domes with more decoration than structure, except for the colonnades. Tuscan used within the stylistics, as a simplified variable of the Doric order and the composite order, elevated with Corinthian floral decoration and Ionic scrolls.
During the Roman Empire, public civil engineering works, temples and others aimed at quality of life and hygiene were built, including massive buildings, public and private bathrooms and latrines, floor heating, mica glazing, hot and cold water. intubated.
Among the most outstanding characteristics of Romanesque architecture, monumentality can be pointed out, taking into account the space and meaning of the work; the utilitarian, practical and functional purpose of constructions; the decorative arts with mosaics and frescoes in the architectural pieces; the dynamics of construction elements with the use of the arch and the vault; the use of materials such as concrete mortar stone and brick; the invention of cement for construction.
Thus, Roman architecture stands out for the construction of its temples, forums and baths; each of these buildings with new expressions from the artist's point of view, as can be seen in the design of the camps, undoubtedly the genesis of modern cities; in works such as the aqueduct, sewers, baths, amphitheaters, theaters, circuses and buildings, all intended functionally and aesthetically to make life pleasant and comfortable for citizens.
The Greek and Etruscan artists, attracted by the economic power of the empire, transferred their taste and passion for the fine arts and Roman artists were trained in their schools. The Western European style from the year 1000 is named Romanesque architecture; Based on the time, the works express power and status.
Located in the center of the city of Rome, Italy, the construction of the Flavian Amphitheater as the Colosseum alluding to the Flavian dynasty that built it. The work was started in the year 70 AD. under the rule of Titus Flavius Vespasian (Emperor Caesar Vespasian Augustus) and finished in 80 AD. under the mandate of Emperor Titus, his eldest son, who completes the construction of the upper part and inaugurates the work.
The celebration lasted 100 days, more than 5000 beasts were killed. The huge capacity of the venue for the show and the free invitation to the people to see from the arena fighting gladiators, wild beasts and other lively attractions, made the opening a grand event.
The Colosseum, as it was called later and until today, had 24000m², 57m high, 188m long; the 80 entrance arches access 55,000 people seated according to the social rank they held, with the best positions near the arena belonging to the emperor and members of high society.
This colossal construction had the consent of the emperors due to the taste of the people towards the spectacle; To achieve it, it was necessary to remove 3,300 tons of earth due to the need to support the building and up to 12 meters high in the soil in search of stability.
Once the concrete was poured and after it was dry, the brick retaining walls were laid to support weight and once on the ground, bricks were added to the clay and cement was poured, creating a stable base for what would be the basement of the building. coliseum, a place where slaves, animals and artists waited to debut in the show.
The first floor built behind the basement, with the podium and seats reserved for the most important personalities: emperor, dignitaries, senators, used three layers of travertine stone on the façade and exterior walls, forming blocks that were joined with cast bronze to act like cement when it dries and hardens.
The radial walls were made with tuff, a stone lighter than travertine; the vaults and most of the upper floors were made of concrete.
The second, third, fourth and fifth upper layers were difficult to build; For this reason, only cement and brick with light materials were used, using the arches as support, the vaulting in the corridors, the shape of an arch in all the rooms to transfer the weight downwards through the columns and prevent the walls from collapsing on themselves. layers under its own weight.
Another important detail is in the connection of fountains and bathrooms inside the Colosseum through a system of aqueducts.
Years later and during his mandate, the emperor Domitian, youngest son of Vespasian, the last emperor of the Flavian dynasty, undertakes renovations and builds a gallery on top as well as underground tunnels to house slaves and animals.
For 500 years the Colosseum in the celebration of shows for the people, later as a refuge. In the year 476 AD, with the fall of the Roman Empire, it became a quarry for the extraction of material used in the construction of new buildings.
In the 6th century, gladiator and hunting shows were discontinued; the last games in history were held.
In the twelfth century it was declared a sanctuary by Pope Benedict XIV, supporting the belief of the death of Christian saints in the place.
In 1870 Italy was unified, establishing his kingdom and ending the rule of the popes over Rome; the Christian memory of the Colosseum is abandoned and begins to become a Romanesque symbol.
Consolidation comes from the 20th century when the Colosseum enters popular culture through cinema, then tourism with approximately 5000000 million travelers who from anywhere in the world are trapped by the history and existence of the monumental piece.
Despite the damage to its structure, the Colosseum remains an icon of imperial Rome. In 1980, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site and since 2007 it has been considered one of the seven wonders of the world, the hook of the ancient and incomparable work architectural.
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