The Colosseum [Hardcover]

Ada Gabucci (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 24, 2002

A place of grandeur and cruelty, the Colosseum has long excited the imagination of the West. As an example of architecture and public works, the Colosseum is one of imperial Rome's greatest achievements; as the site of gladiatorial battles and the humiliation of Rome's enemies, the magnificent arena reminds us of the worst excesses of the ancient world.
In this magisterial study, every aspect of the Colosseum is examined, including the demography of the city at the time of its construction; the origins, administration, and staging of gladiatorial contests; the architecture of its interior and exterior, as well as its underground chambers; the amazing feats of scenery management and hydraulic engineering that allowed it to function; and the history of the Colosseum from the time of its inauguration in A. D. 80 until today.
More than two hundred illustrations--including ancient coins, contemporary photographs, oil paintings and watercolor sketches, diagrams, maps of the ancient city, and aerial views--show not only every aspect of the building as it exists today but how it has been seen or imagined through the ages. Texts by scholars in the fields of art, architecture, and antiquities--prepared under the direction of the Soprintendenza Archaeologica di Roma--provide the clearest and most complete account ever published of one of the Western world's greatest monuments.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ada Gabucci is Soprintendenza Archaeologica di Roma.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1St Edition edition (January 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892366486
• ISBN-13: 978-0892366484
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 10 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,361,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A LAVISH, UNPARALLELED STUDY, March 14, 2002

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Colosseum (Hardcover)

Few monuments in our world inspire the awe and spur the imagination as does Rome's Colosseum. Even before the compelling Oscar-winning film "Gladiator," millions knew the prominent role this edifice played in history. And, while computer graphic imaging brought a remarkable structure to life in the motion picture, this lavish, unparalleled study restores it once again.

Over 150 color illustrations and 127 black and white images trace the Colosseum from the day of its inauguration in A.D. 80 to the present. It once which covered six acres of land, sat between 12 and 15 stories above ground, and held over 50,000 spectators. Scholars representing art, architecture, and antiquities bring their expertise to an depth look at the gladiators' life and world. As we know, the bloody battles in which they engaged were the original attractions. It is amazing to learn how closely these events parallel contemporary spectacles - the recruitment and training of participants, creating eye-popping scenery, providing wardrobes, ticket sales, etc.

It was only when arguments arose concerning amphitheater games that the fighting came to a halt.

A detailed examination of the building's exterior and interior architecture is included, as well as complete views of the warren of underground areas constructed for gladiators and animals.

- Gail Cooke