The coliseum roman forum

OUR VISIT TO
THE COLOSSEUM &
ROMAN FORUM

A HUMBLING
EXPERIENCE
WORTH SHARING

Our visit to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum were spectacular experiences for Jesse and me. From a design perspective, we were inspired; from a complexity and scale perspective, we were shocked. The sophistication of the construction techniques, the depth and intricacy of design details, and the organization and planning required were nothing short of humbling to us. To that end, we wanted to share some of our favourite architectural details from our full-day visit to these ancient ruins.

IMPRESSIVE
INFRASTRUCTURE
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

Our tour started in the basement of the structure, where we toured the impressively planned animal chambers, ship docks, foundation walls, and drainage ducts. These corridors don’t get as much attention but are entirely worth the tour. This below grade infrastructure was not only impressively functional, it was shocking to understand how resourceful the methods of transporting and housing fighters and animals were.

What we also found particularly interesting was how the structure aged, and why some portions were more well preserved than others. We came to learn that the Colosseum sits on a mix of different types of soil due to its location in a valley that was once a marshy area between the Caelian, Esquiline, and Palatine Hill. The specific soil types include Alluvian and Volcanic soil, the latter being far more stable.

What further contributed to the degradation of the structure was the events of the Middle Ages, after the fall of Rome. During this time, the Colosseum served as temporary housing for many of the towns poor. Through the years many of these inhabitants would remove steel reinforcements from the structural stone columns, headers, and walls in order to sell them for survival. The impact to the structure as a result was immense, as all of the walls, archways, and pillars were designed to evenly distribute weight

As you venture above grade, you see the crumbled rows of seating that were home to thousands of guests. Stone archways, marble columns, and cross-barrel roof details that were constructed using brick, and steep stairs are seen at every entrance. It is at this point that you come to a lookout that offers a view of the entire stadium, at which point you come to understand the sheer scale of this ancient structure. It really is a breathtaking site that makes you feel small in its presence.

A COLLAGE OF
ARCHITECTURAL
INTEREST

As we continued our tour through Palantine Hill, we eventually made it to the Roman Forum. Upon our entrance, we were greeted by the Arch of Titus, which immediately gave us far vaster understanding of the complexity of this ancient city. Our tour was guided by an archaeologist who had worked to excavate the site for over the course of 25 years, offering great insight into the uses of each structure as well as their composition. The Roman Forum displays that we loved the most include the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Septimius Severus, the Temple of Vesta, the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, the Arch of Titus, and the Curia Julia (Senate House). Each captured our interest for different reasons and created a true collage of architectural details that was almost overwhelming to take in at once.

OUR FAVOURITE
FACT ABOUT
ROMAN STRUCTURES

Each of these sites varied in condition, and were a real treat to see for both Jesse and I. Our main reason for loving this experience so much was because it offered us a glimpse into the construction methods and why they aged so gracefully. One of the most fascinating facts we learned was about the strength of Roman masonry. This material is primarily composed of lime and volcanic ash and effectively self-repairs when exposed to water as a result of calcium silicate deposits. This process is known as a Pozzolanic reaction. Learning about this fact was almost comforting because, of course, we have questions about how a structure is still standing after 2,700 years.

OUR FAVOURITE
MATERIAL

Our favourite material that we saw used throughout The Roman Forum was on the exterior of the Temple of Romulus, largely for its red marble columns, otherwise known as “Porphyry”, a marble that was associated with imperial power and prestige as it was designated for imperial use only because of its rarity. It is an incredibly expensive marble that was mined in Roman-owned quarries in Egypt. They were discovered by Emporer Tiberius around 18 AD and were set in a harsh region in the Eastern Desert near the Red Sea. The process of extracting this material was difficult and labour intensive because of its hardness and location in the desert. The luxuriousness and imperial connotations associated with this material persisted long after the Roman era, further elevating its historical significance. The idea of transporting this incredibly heavy material through the desert, onto ships, and across the ocean during this period is nothing short of impressive and fascinating to think about.