Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 5 Theatres

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 5 Theatres

 

Greek theatres which were usually hollowed out of the slope of a hill and consisted of an orchestra, auditorium and stage. The orchestra was circular and was used by the chorus who by voice and acting unfolded the drama taking place on the stage. The auditorium was cut out of the rock to form tiers of seats sometimes faced with marble. The stage had a permanent architecural background of timber or stone with dressing rooms behind. Most Greek theatres were situated within an area containing a temple of a god to whom most of the plays were offered.

 

In some instances Greek theatres were adapted by the Romans to suit their own drama. But for this the stage was increased in size and importance and was raised so as to form a separate area for the actors. The area used by the Greeks for the chorus (the orchestra) was now included in the auditorium, and was used by senators and dignitaries. The auditorium used by the Romans was semi-circular, unlike the Greek which was two-thirds of a circle. In some theatres construction was of concrete vaulting supporting tiers of seats, under which was shelter from any sudden storms.        

 

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 4 Minerva Medica

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 4 Minerva Medica

 

Minerva Medica in Rome was built about 270 A.D.. This building formerly the Temple of the Goddess Minerva, is now generally regarded as the Nymphaeum of the Baths of Gallienus. It is an interesting building for two reasons - it is decagonal in plan but has a circular dome, with pendentives (1) and also each angle is buttressed externally which is unusual in Roman architecture. The dome was of concrete ribbed in tiles and large windows on each side of the decagon admitting light to the interior.

 

(1) A pendentive is an overhanging triangular section of vaulting between the rim of a dome and each adjacent pair of arches that support it.

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 3 The Baths of Caracalla

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 3 The Baths of Caracalla

 

The Baths, or Thermae, of Caracalla, were built between 211 and 217 A.D., and had accommodation for 1600 bathers. The base on which the main buildings were built, was 20 feet high and measured 1100 feet square. Under this were the furnaces and hot-air ducts for heating the buildings. The area contained not only a stadium but also places for wrestling and games, and drama and lecture halls. The main Thermae contained a 'tepidarium' (warm room), 'calidarium' (hot room) and a 'frigidarium' (cold room) very similar to a modern Turkish bath. All this was heavily decorated with mosaics and painted frescoes.  

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 2 Circus Maximus

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 2 Circus Maximus

 

The Circus Maximus in Rome, of which now nothing survives, was a vast edifice, started by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C., and added to and enlarged by many succeeding emperors, each adding his own enrichments. It was 2000 feet long by 650 feet wide and had a seating capacity for 255,000 people. The vaults were of concrete and the overall construction was similar to that of the Colosseum. The last race in the Circus Maximus took place in 549 A.D.

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 1 Colosseum

Greek and Roman Pleasure Buildings : 1 Colosseum

 

When I was at College, I did a series of little pen and ink sketches as part of my architectural history studies. I thought it might be a change from the Scotland Diary to look at these for a time. So I am starting with probably one of the most famous buildings of the ancient world - the Colosseum in Rome. This was started by Vespasian in 70 A.D. and completed by Domitian in 82 A.D. Externally it is a vast ellipse 620 feet by 515 feet, while the arena is 287 feet by 180 feet. The construction is interesting, lava is used for the foundations with brick for the supporting walls, while pumice is used for the vaulting to reduce the weight. The facade was of travertine blocks and was 158 feet high, while the seats, columns and ornaments wre of marble. My original drawings are now in China. I sent them to my friend Chenjie in Wuhan when he was doing an architectural history project as a module in his degree course.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No.13)

June 6 ~ The day dawned hot and sunny and after breakfast went into Portree to buy an assortment of cakes and tarts to take to Kinlochewe later in the day. Being early, after crossing the Skye Bridge took the coast road to Plockton and then on through Lochcarron to Kishorn and lunch at the Fish Restaurant. Still with much time to spare took the road over the Beallach-na-Ba to Applecross and round the coast to Sheildaig. Past Loch Torridon , Ben Alligan, Liatagh and Beinne Eighe to Kinlochewe. After a most enjoyable afternoon with the 'Ladies' headed back to Skye via the new road through Glen Docherty, Achnasheen and Kyle, with a short stop for Fish and Chips. Then back to Earlish and the usual cakes etc., and bed.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No.12)

June 5 ~ Wonderful day today, hot, warm and sunny. Decided to go to the Glendale area. Called in as usual at Daisy Budge's Craft Studio near Dunvegan to stock up on Celtic Cards, then called in at the Blackhouse Museum House at  Colbost. After that went up the steep rough road to near the radio masts above Glendale and took several photos and here the phone signal was high so made one or two calls and text messages to home and to Chenjie, before continuing on to Glendale itself for lunch at An Strupach Café. In the afternoon went to Neist Point and walked to the Lighthouse overlooking the Minch and the Outer Hebrides. Returned to Uig for the by now traditional meal at the Ferry Inn then supper and bed.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No.11)

June 4 ~ Lovely morning so went round the north of the Trotternish via Kilmuir to Staffin. Had coffee at the Columba 1400 Retreat House and also checked and sent e-mails to the family and to Chenjie and Francis in China. Then carried on to Kyle of Lochalsh and the afternoon trip on the glass-bottomed boat called Atlantis. Saw plenty of sea birds including Cormorants, Shags, Herring and Blackbacked Gulls, Oyster Catchers and some grey seals. The captain tried to find otters, dolphins and porpoises but was not lucky. Sometimes they also see Killer Whales (Orcas) and in the summer, Basking Sharks. After looking underwater at a World War II warship wreck, the captain took us to lock at an underwater forest of every type of sea plant. In the evening the meal was again at the Ferry Inn in Uig, then back to Mary's for supper and bed. (Before returning to the Ferry Inn and Mary's, took the long route back and stopped to take a few pictures on the way.)

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No. 10)

June 3 ~ Today is Sunday, and a wet Sunday as well. Went to the 11-00am Eucharist Service at St. Columba's Church, Portree. After the service joined some of the congregation for a chat over tea and coffee before going on to the Cuillin Hills Hotel for a very good buffet lunch. Rested during the afternoon at Mary's before she brought in the supper again at 9-00pm.  Because of the wet weather, did not take any photographs at all today.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No. 9)

June 2 ~ Went to the Aros Centre in Portree to do some shopping and have a snack before going on over the Skye Bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh to get the ticket for the submersible boat trip on Monday. Up until recently, the Skye Bridge had a very heavy toll charge, but after a vigorous campaign by locals and visitors alike, the bridge is now free of toll altogether. Weather not too bad, warm with sunshine and showers. In the evening again went to the Ferry Inn for a meal before returning to Earlish and the usual supper of homemade cakes and pancakes and cups of tea.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No. 8)

June 1 ~ Another wonderful day, saw the early morning ferry leave Tarbeart for Skye ~ took some pictures from bedroom window and then went to see Mrs Martin at Scadabay and chatted about old times, then took the road across Harris to Leverburgh  ~ taking many pictures on the way. Then  on to Rodel to take more pictures of St. Clement's Church. Returned to Tarbert via the western beaches to wait for the 4-00pm ferry back to Uig on Skye ~ wonderful crossing in glorious sunshine. Had the evening meal again at the Ferry Inn in Uig and then back to Mary's at Earlish.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No. 7)

After the meal took some pictures in the harbour at Tarbeart and then went back to Flora's, but then I decided to go and 'look' for a sunset on the Huisinish road ~ took a few photos then returned to Tigh~na~mara and bed.

The Western Seaboard-Scotland 2007 (continuation No. 6)

May 31 ~ Wow what a contrast in the weather. Wall to wall blue sky and hot sun  all day. In the morning went on a 'culture and heritage' journey to the Standing Stones at Calanais, the Broch at Carloway', the 'blackhouse' village at Gearrannan and the Blackhouse at Arnol ~ all these sites are on Isle of Lewis. In the afternoon motored back south to the wonderful sandy beaches on western seaboard of the Isle of Harris. For those of you who ever watch the BBC series "Castaway 2000", the Isle of Taransay is about 3 km off this coast. Later went to the Harris Inn ~ yet again ~ for the evening meal.