T ••ii '••si It-
From purfuing the undermentioned mode of calculation it will appear, that as the
medium circumference of the amphitheatre at Rome is equal to one thoufand five hundred
and ninety-two Engliih feet, it is fufficiently capacious to contain thirfcy-four thoufand
perfons fitting, allowing twenty-one inches for each fpeftator. That of Verona being o
thoufand three hundred feet in medium circumference, it is capable of containing twentyfeven
thoufand feven hundred and fixty-eight perfons. That at Nifines being nine hundred
and ieven feet and three quarters in medium circumference, fixteen thoufand five hundred
and ninety-nine perfons.
This Amphitheatre is of an eliptic figure, which is generally the form of thofe edifices;
the dhredlion of its lai^ft diameter being from eafl: to wefl:, and its extent, taken from
out to out, about four hundred and thirty-eight feet ; the leaft diameter, from north to
fouth, three hundred and thirty-eight ; and the total height of the building feventy feet
and an half.
The external part of the Coloffoeum at Nifmes was ornamented in the following manner
: it confifted of two ilories, and one attic; the firfi: compofed of an open gallery of fixty
arcades, divided by the fame number of projeéting pilafters of the Tuican order, two feet,
two inches in width, and nearly the fame in thicknefs.
The arcades ferved as fo many entrances to the edifice, and led to feveral long arched
vaults, through which the fpeftators were admitted into the Amphi theat re, without the leait
danger and confiifion *.
Over the firil range of arcades, which was ufed b y the people as a portico or piazza, is
t h e fécond ftory, confiiling of the fame number of arches, feparated by columns, inftead
of pilafiers, which ftand perpendicularly on the latter.
The architedture of the fuperior ftory or gallery, although in appearance much lighter
than the firft, is alfo of the fame order; though, owing to fome ornaments which ftill
exift, over the aflxagal, or on the capital, it has been thought to belong to the Doric
order ; but as the whole of the column meafi^es exaitly feven times its greateft diameter,
or foiuleen modules, and that the entablature has alfo the juft proportion of the Tufcan
order, according to Vitruvius, it may be allowed to belong to it.
* How unlike the ftniaur« of our modern theatres in this refpefl I The ancients were furely more judicioiiH
m the difpofal of theic buildings, as they prevented, bj Uie width and multitude of their entrances, tliofc /liocking
accidents which fo frequently happen by tlie vile narrow paiTagcs through which the fpcaators crowd in and o'
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The arcades of the upper gallery are partly clofed by a fmall parapet, and the fpace
between the arch and the architrave of the entablement, in both galleries, is four feet three
inches; which is an uncommon diflance.
The attic is nearly entire, but without ornament, ferving merely as a finifh to the
edifice. Round its external circumference, and over each ai'cade, are confoles, or ftone
brackets, placed two and two, projedling nearly twenty inches, of two feet in breadth, and
as much in thicknefs. Each of thefe confoles has a hol e in the centre, of about eleven
inches in diameter, coirefponding wi t h one of the fame fize, pierced above the fuperior
cornice. Thefe holes were made to admit beams, or large round pieces of timber, to the
end of which were fixed pulleys, &c. to fupport a kind of awning or covering, placed in
the interior of the building, for the convenience of the fpedtators to fhelter tliem, either
from intenfe hejit or inclemency of weather. Thefe awnings were called velaria, and were
literally rolls of canvas, extended by means of the pofls, pulleys, &c. already defcribed, as
alfo b y others fixed in the arena.
Befides the firfl; range of arcades, which led to the vaulted paflages; and from hence to
thepodixun, or feat contiguous to the arena, efteemed the mof t honourable, are four large
gates, ornamented with frontons or pediments, and fituated at the extremity of each
diameter of tlie arena, through which the gladiators and wild beafls entered.
Over the nortli gate appear two bulls in alto relievo, tolerably well executed. Thefe
bidls are emblematic, and feem to favour the general opinion that Niiines was originally a
Roman colony; it being a rule with tlie ancient Romans to trace the boundar y of their new
eftabhihments wi th the plough drawn by thofe animals.
Some writers have alfo fuppofed them emblems denoting that the Amphi theatre had been
- erefted at the expence of the people. Many of their medals and coins found in this city
bear a fimilar type. The other gates are totally without ornament.
T h e internal part of the edifice does not appear to have ever been greatly embelliihetl,
though there arc ftill fome trifling ornaments exifting about the railing or baluftradc,
eredted to proteil the fpeiSators f rom the ferocioufiiefs of the wild beafls.
There were originally thirty-two rows of fleps or feats, rifing one .ibove the other,
from eighteen to twenty inches in breadth, and from eighteen to twenty-four in height;
for the fleps are not all of equal fize; thefe feats were of ftone, moft of which ftill re-
For the of the ipedhitoi-s there were alfo feveral paifages or avenues, called.
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