The archæology of Rome, Part 7 : $b The Flavian amphitheatre, commonly called the ColosseumParker, John Henry
History
The archæology of Rome, Part 7 : $b The Flavian amphitheatre, commonly called the Colosseum
Parker, John Henry
Rome -- Antiquities
The great amphitheatre at Capua is almost of the same size as the
Colosseum in Rome, and a remarkably exact copy of it; some say that it
was called by the same name, but this is rather doubtful, as persons
who have resided at Capua for years say they have never heard it so
called; the name is not of much importance: the plan and arrangements
are identical, and although the superstructure has been almost entirely
destroyed, the substructures at Capua are far more perfect than in Rome;
and here we have the mouth of an aqueduct perfect in these substructures,
and remains of canals for water, with the very massive walls to support
them, exactly as in Rome. The great drain to carry off the water also
remains, but on rather a different plan; instead of being carried under a
low arch at the end of the great central passage, as in Rome, the water
is conveyed into a large and deep well in the centre of the building,
with four small channels running into it, beside the great central
opening. From this well there is a large and deep drain leading to the
river. There are the same dens for wild beasts under the _podium_, and
in the pavement the same sockets for pivots to work in, to pull up the
cages, or _pegmata_, or lifts. The arena, instead of being a boarded
floor, is of brick, carried on vaults, with numerous square apertures
for the trap-doors. The central passage is vaulted at the two ends, but
open in the greater part. Round each of the openings there is a deep
groove, as if a wooden cover had been fitted tightly over each and made
water-tight, so that the surface of the arena might be flooded for naval
fights; but there is reason to believe that only rowing-boats, drawing
little water, were used in this instance, and not galleys.
The earliest part of the building at Capua is of the time of the Emperor
Hadrian, but only a small part of that period remains, as shewn by the
construction (reticulated work with a framework of brick). Most of the
walls in the substructure are faced with brick of the second or third
century, with later repairs[193].
PUTEOLI OR POZZUOLI.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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