Manuel, Keneth Jed R.

CE – C06
CE100
Homework # 1
History and the Construction of Ancient Structures
1. Roman Colosseum

The Roman Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, was said to be erected by
the Flavian Emperors. The construction of the Colosseum started as early as 70 to 72 CE under
Vespasian rule. It is located on the grounds of what used to be Nero's Golden House, just east of
Palatine Hill. The Colosseum was built there after the artificial lake that served as the focal point
of that palace complex was emptied, a move that was both symbolic and practical. Vespasian,
who had very low origins in life before ascending to the throne, decided to swap out the despotic
emperor's private lake for a public amphitheatre that could accommodate tens of thousands of
Romans.
 A structure with an oval form, the Colosseum has a short axis of 156 meters and a long axis
of 188 meters. It was 190 meters long, 156 meters broad, and 50 meters high. The Colosseum's
construction was made of a variety of materials, including tufa blocks and bricks for the outside
walls, travertine blocks for the load-bearing pillars, and travertine blocks for the steps and radial
walls. The building was firmly supported by arches and vaults. The Colosseum could hold
between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, according to various estimates. It featured 80 entrances
and exits, 76 of which were for commoners to use, while the other four were for the emperor,
political and religious leaders, and the show's principal characters.
Using artifacts looted from the Jewish Temple during the Great Jewish Revolt in 70 AD,
construction got under way in 72 AD. 12,000 Jewish captives who had been captured during the
Siege of Jerusalem made up the labor. The Romans worked at more specialized tasks while the
Jewish slaves provided unskilled labor. Prisoners transported travertine construction stones
from a quarry 20 miles away in Tivoli while putting in long, arduous hours of labor under
challenging circumstances. Due to the lack of tools and the fact that it was constructed on top
of Nero's lake, the eight-year building period was remarkably quick.
 2. Leaning tower of pisa

The iconic medieval building known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or Torre Pendente di Pisa in
Italian, is located in Pisa, Italy. In the late 20th century, shifting of its foundations forced it to lean
5.5 degrees, or roughly 15 feet (4.5 meters), off the perpendicular. The tower was then extensively
straightened, and its lean was eventually decreased to less than 4.0 degrees.
In a ceremony that lasted 100 days of games, Titus gave the building its official dedication in
the year 80 CE. Later, in the year 82 CE, Domitian added the topmost storey to finish the
construction. The Colosseum is a freestanding construction made of stone and concrete, unlike
older amphitheatres, which were almost all excavated into handy hillsides for additional support.
It has a sophisticated system of barrel vaults and groin vaults and measures 620 by 513 feet (189
by 156 meters) altogether. The structure's ascending column arrangement served as the
inspiration for the Renaissance codification known as the assemblage of orders. Three of the
arena's storeys are surrounded by arcades that are framed on the outside by engaged columns of
the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders.
 White marble and limestone were both used in the building of the tower. Many people believe
that the building's usage of heterogeneous materials prevented it from collapsing totally.
Limestone can survive the internal compression brought on by the tower's lean since it is far more
flexible than marble.
All manual labor was utilized in the mining, gathering, shipping, cutting, heaving, and setting
into position of the marble and limestone used in the building. In 1173, work on the tower got
under way. The tower's first story and its base were built during the initial years. By 1178, the
tower's second level was well under way, and the structure was already starting to sink. For close
to a century, construction ceased. The earth has time to adjust to the marble's new weight during
this period. Master builder Giovanni di Simone, who also designed other components of Pisa's
Cathedral Square, led a team of 23 laborers up the mountainside to remove additional marble in
1264. Construction resumed in 1272. At this stage, the structure was already sagging. Engineers
started building the higher stories with one side taller than the other to distribute weight in an
effort to account for the tilt. This architectural element caused the tower to be bent.
In 1284, another Italian conflict caused a delay in the tower's construction. In 1319, the
seventh story was completed. Over 50 years later, in 1372, came the top bell chamber. There was
a total of 7 bells set in the tower.
3. Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal, often called Tadj Mahall, is a mausoleum complex in Agra, in the northern Indian
state of Uttar Pradesh, in the west. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahn (reigned 1628–1588)
erected the Taj Mahal to honor his wife Mumtaz Mahal (also known as the "Chosen One of the
Palace"), who passed away in childbirth in 1631 after being the emperor's constant companion
since their marriage in 1612. It is located in the eastern section of the city on the southern
(right) bank of the Yamuna (Jumna) River and is arguably the most well-known and recognizable
structure in all of India. The Taj Mahal lies roughly one mile (1.6 km) to the west of Agra Fort
(Red Fort), which is situated on the right bank of the Yamuna.
The Taj Mahal is recognized as the best illustration of Mughal architecture, a synthesis of
Indian, Persian, and Islamic traditions, in its harmonious proportions and seamless
incorporation of ornamental elements. Other features include exquisite gardens, a museum,
and twin mosque structures that are positioned symmetrically on either side of the tomb. The
Taj Mahal, one of the most exquisite architectural designs in the world and one of the most
recognizable landmarks, attracts millions of people every year. In 1983, the complex received
the UNESCO World Heritage designation.
 Following the completion of the foundation, a 15-kilometer ramp composed of mud and
soil was constructed to make it simple to bring materials up to the project. Back then, bamboo
was used to create conventional scaffolding, giving employees in the construction industry
simple access to working at heights. For whatever reason, stone is supposed to have been used
in the construction of the Taj Mahal's scaffolding. They may have chosen stone because it
provided more stability or had longer lifespan than bamboo.
The snow-white marble and other items were lifted and moved using a pulley system
and teams of mules and oxen. The tomb and major structure were finished gradually.
Only the mausoleum, which was intended to be the focal point of the region, was
constructed with white marble. Bricks and red stone were used to construct the numerous
surrounding structures and intricate enclosures.
However, the majority of the wonder and beauty attributed to these structures is not
connected to the materials themselves. Instead, it alludes to the Taj Mahal's intricate design and
adornment.
 The Taj Mahal is made up mostly of a mixture of materials, however the tomb itself is
completely made of marble. According to legend, more than a thousand elephants were used to
transport building supplies from all across Asia back to Agra for use in construction.
Brick, sandstone, and white marble were all sourced from Agra and its environs. Jaspers
and carnelians were brought in from Punjab and Arabia, turquoise from Tibet, sapphire from Sri
Lanka, and jade and crystal from China. The tomb and the nearby structures were embellished
and decorated with these stones.

References:
Building the Leaning tower of Pisa. (2022). DOZR. https://dozr.com/blog/building-the-leaning-
tower-of-pisa
Building the Taj Mahal. (2022). DOZR. https://dozr.com/blog/building-the-taj-mahal
Megan, A. (n.d.). Engineering behind the Roman Colosseum – Engineering Rome.
https://engineeringrome.org/engineering-behind-the-roman-colosseum/#Engineering
Rome Colosseum Tickets & Tours. (2022b, November 29). Colosseum Architecture | How
Colosseum was built | Colosseum Building. Rome Colosseum.
https://romecolosseumtickets.tours/colosseum-arhitecture-rome/
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023, July 13). Colosseum | Definition, Characteristics,
History, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Colosseum
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023b, July 19). Taj Mahal | Definition, Story, Site,
History, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Taj-Mahal
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023, August 9). Leaning Tower of Pisa | History,
architecture, Foundation & Lean. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Leaning-Tower-of-Pisa