The Hawaiian gazette., 1884-08-20

Westropp mentioned that it was $50 feet along
the major axis Of the ellipse and 5i3 feet
across, and rose, as completed, 10 a total
height Of ISL feet above the surrounding
ground. This immense outer wall consisted
O. four stories, Of which three were OF YES
pasian's structure, and the fourth, a loftier
and very different one, represented GOrdian's
addition. Three stories were decorated with
columns. and the upper one with pilasiers,
each Of a different order The columns were
Of equal diameter, and divided the circum-
ference into so arcades on each level. That
on the ground story, which was so feet in
height, had Doric order; the next, IS feet
high, was Tuscan; the next, also 80 feet high,
was Ionic, and the upper stage, A feet high,
which mad no arcading, but instead series
Of rectangular window openings, with shields
between, had pilasters Of the Composite order,
a style which was excellently fitted for its
lofty position by the holiness Of its volutes
| and general treatment.
In the lower story seventy-six Of the arches
were ordinary entrances, aptly termed ''vom-
itori1, and each bearing distinctive num-
Der: the other four openings were reserved
for the Emperor and other distinguished per-
sonages. Each voussoir in these three lower
arcades had mOrtise and tenon ON its edge,
so that they could be fitted to each other in
each half of the arch, without uecessitating
the use Of centering during construction. Be-
hind these arches on each floor, and between
the outer facade and the tiers Of benches, was
spacious corridor leading to the seats, and
to stair cases leading to the upper levels Of
the arena. Each stage was marked off by an
entablature, and the whole was crowned by
one of greater boldness, above which was an
attic. This upper entablature was supported
| by brackets, and in it were pierced series Of
holes through which formerly passed the
ropes by which the telum or velarium, an i'm
mense curtain, protecting the spectators from
the sun and rain, was drawn toward or from
! the mast in the center Of the arena. The ma
terials used for walling were marble and ira
vertina for the exterior, pepinino for the in
ternal walls, and tuta and brick for filling in.
The seating was by movable wooden benches
The lowest level next the arena was known as
the podium, and was protected from the AMI
mails by low wall, aud was reserved for the
emperor, consuls, and other distinguished per-
sonages; above this was the menianum, or
seats for the equestrian order; above these
those for the populace, and women were adj
mitted TO the upper gallery only. Great dis
crepancies existed between the statements as
to the number Of persons that could be ac-
commodated in the Colosseum; but Mr.. Fer
gussou, on a careful calculation, estimated
thatNo fewer than $4,000 persons could be
provided with seats The excellent adapta-
ton of the building to its purpose, and the
skillful arrangements for free ingress, deserv-
ed the highest commentator.
The arena itself was originally formed by
Titus on the ground level, but this was found
to be too low 10 be easily seen from the aud
itorium, and thus, probably in the time of
Trajan, and certainly before that of Commodus,
its level was raised 81 feet by means of sub
stantial substructures, between which were
left five longitudinal grooves or docks three
straight, the other two curved, which could
be filled with water from neighboring aque-
duct for floating galleys upon, and also a
numerous series Of square pits in which were
placed the cages Of animals; in recesses under
the podium and seating were other dens for
wild beasts. The arena, as raised in the days
of Commodus, had an internal diameter Of
PSI feet by lsO feet; it was paved with bricks
over the solid substructure, and the docks and
square apertuTes were covered in with board.
ing. In the central dock, during the recent
excavations; part Of the timber framework
for raising decorations and scenery was found,
and also the socket in which the veaTium
mast was lifted, and at one end was drain
protected by iron bars through which the
water rJn off, 1t was evident that lifts were
provided in the square holes for raising the
animals cages at the proper moment. In con-
clusiOn, the lecturer quoted descriptions Of
combats and pageants beld in the Colosseum
and remarked upon the singular fact that, al
though this was one Of the vastest and most
greatly admired of ancient structures, the
name Of no architect who was concerned il
its construction was known to US.