Architecture of the Early Empire(27 BC - AD 98)

Pont du Gard Aqueductc. 16 BC

Roman aqueducts still stand in southern Europe, at least one of which still supplies water to its city
Pont du Gard is one element of an aqueduct which carried water 30 miles to the city of Nimes
Public works such as the aqueduct were not only practical they were propaganda symbols

Romans built extensive public works
- esp. water supply systems
- gravity fed, some are as long as 57 miles
- this one over 30 miles
- provided over 100 gallons/day/person
- no cement or mortar
- water channel was covered

Roman engineers took the basic round arch and developed a range of structural systems from it. These structural systems all allowed for larger, stronger structures able to carry far more mass than earlier structures based on the post and lintel system.

- barrel vault - barrel vaults are essentially extended arches
- groin vaults are barrel vaults that intersect at a right angle
- groin vaults used in series and supported by buttresses allow for immense interior spaces as we'll see

The Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater)

AD 70 stone and concrete
Called the "Colosseum" because it was built near the former site of a colossal statue of Nero
It's like any contemporary sports arena - like the NAU Skydome - It seated 50,000!
The seats are terraced on arches
- had 76 numbered entrances
- heavier outer rings buttress outward thrust

Below the floor was a large service area, cages for animals, plumbing and drainage system for mock naval battles, lifts for getting contestants and equipment up to the stage floor.

Gladiatorial events:
- professional fighters
- slaves/prisoners/Christians/animals
- entertain the public - keep them subdued ---TV?!

It's made primarily of concrete, faced with stone.
160 feet high, covered with an awning to provide shade!
- like a sail, braces on ground outside, manned by sailors

The facade is made up of three superimposed orders:
- Doric - Ionic - Corinthian - Corinthian pilasters

View down hallway

This view nicely shows the groin vaulting that makes up the basic structure of the Colosseum