: Colosseum Vs Parthenon Art History

Compare and Contrast: Colosseum Vs Parthenon Art History

As you do your research: 4 steps of analysis for Art Historians: physical properties, formal qualities, subject/message/symbols, and context.

ANSWER

Colosseum Vs. Parthenon Art History

The footing of art history can be dated back many years back when the ancient civilizations utilized the available methods and media to illustrate cultural significant subject matters. Since the early days, art has followed distinct styles and characteristics that reflected different influences from which they emerged. This paper will compare and contrast Parthenon and Colosseum art through the four steps of analysis for Art Historians, including the formal qualities, physical properties, symbols, and context.

The Parthenon was built between 446 and 438 BC as a temple meant for the goddess Athena Parthenos (Thomas, 11). The temple was richly decorated using curved sculptures to fill the triangular gables on the ends of the building. Parthenon was one of the most celebrated Greek temples. On the other hand, Colosseum is the largest ever constructed Amphitheatre in the center of the city of Rome. The construction began in AD 72 and ended in AD 80.

The Parthenon was constructed using three stages of Pentelic marble and used three columns in its architectural design, which was common in building temples and public places; Ionic, Corinthian, and Doric. The Pedimental sculptures were more significant than those of metopes that occupied the triangular space above the metopes and triglyphs. The perimeter of the Parthenon was lined with columns on all sides. The Colosseum is built of travertine stone, Roman Cement, tuff blocks, and bricks (Kavraz, 11). Colosseum was constructed using Tuscan style, Ionic columns, and Corinthian style. The Tuscan style was used on the ground floor with an austere Greek Doric style; the second floor featured the Ionic columns, while the third floor featured a decorated and more intricate Corinthian style. Therefore, both Parthenon and Colosseum relied on Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian styles.

Parthenon was a classical architecture style that was derived from the Greek principles and Roman architecture of classical antiquity (Loukaki, 74). This was characterized by columns, symmetry, marble, and rectangular windows. On the other hand, Colosseum was an ancient Roman architecture that focused on three central themes during design: functionality, strength, and beauty. The most prominent features of the building were the arches, columns, and elliptical architecture. The elliptical architecture is meant to enable visibility from any seat within the arena.

The Colosseum stood as a symbol of the genius, power, and brutality of the Roman Empire. It was built as a grand effort to revive Rome after the wild year of the four emperors. The Colosseum is a symbol of Roman culture and is important in ancient Roman history since it displayed the power and wealth of the Roman Empire (Loukaki, 74). Parthenon was the biggest and most lavish temple, which became the center of religious life in the City of Athens. The Parthenon was an epitome and manifestation of Athenian wealth. The Parthenon was a mark of cultural and political superiority in Greece. The building is a symbol of the wealth, power, and elevated culture of Athens. Both buildings have been a symbol of wealth and power in both empires.

Parthenon was mainly built as a temple for the Goddess Athena, who the people in Athena mainly worshiped. The metopes and pediment sculptures were used to illustrate the episodes of Greek myth, such as the battle of the Lapiths and Centaurs. Colosseum was constructed as an Amphitheatre that involved performances, an open-air venue, and sports.

Parthenon and Colosseum have many differences and similarities. They used similar architectural designs but with different building materials. They were constructed for different purposes, with one being an amipthearte while the other was a temple. The comparison of the Parthenon and Colosseum reveals that both symbolized wealth and power in empires.

Works Cited

Loukaki, Argyro. “Athens and Rome Contrasted: The Present Challenge of Managing Two Manners of Classicism.” Актуальные проблемы теории и истории искусства 10 (2020): 74-86.

Thomas, Katerina. “The Athenian Parthenon: reception and display.” Revista do Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia 28 (2017).

Kavraz, Mustafa. “Colosseum.” International Journal of Social And Humanities Sciences 2.1 (2018): 11-22.