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H I S T O R Y O F A R C H I T E C T U R E 1 A M P H I T H E A T R E O F N I M E S

Name: Arena of Nîmes/ Amphitheatre of Nîmes Location: Bd des Arènes, 30000 Nîmes, France Coordinates: 43.8349° N, 4.3596° E Architect: G. Massiot & cie Date Created: 100 AD Original Capacity:24,000 Current Capacity: 13,800 The Emperor Augustus The first emperor of ancient Rome was Augustus, sometimes known as Octavian. After Julius Caesar was killed in 44 BCE, Augustus assumed control. While retaining full control as Rome ' s princeps, or "first citizen, " Augustus " restored" the republic in 27 BCE. That position was maintained by Augustus until his demise in 14 CE. He is now regarded as one of the greatest administrative geniuses in the annals of Western civilization. The Greco-Roman world was made peaceful by Augustus ("Pax Romana "). He enacted a number of legal and financial reforms that led to the establishment of the principate in 27 BCE, supposedly restoring the Roman republic. Augustus was incredibly well-liked in his role as princeps of Rome. He extended Roman territory greatly and changed the monetary system. It was often thought that the city ' s amphitheater was a gift from Emperor Augustus, but it is now generally accepted that its construction, like the Colosseum at Rome, took place in the second half of the first century or at the start of the second. 1.1 Overview 1.3 The Founder 1 . 0 I N T R O D U C T I O N One of the most well-liked tourist sights in the city is the Roman Amphitheater in Nimes. This guide will explain what to expect, how to get there, and other sites to see while in Nimes. Also included are some suggestions for maximizing your stay. One of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the entire world can be seen at the Nîmes Roman Amphitheatre in the French city of Nîmes. Up to 24,000 people could fit in the amphitheater, which was constructed in 100 AD. Gladiator battles, animal hunts, and executions were just a few of the activities that took place in the amphitheater. 1.2 Fast Facts 1

1.4 History and Timeline Analysis Roman amphitheaters first appeared in Southern Italy in the second century BCE, and they were made specifically for staging spectacular gladiator battles or animal fights. This new style of the building took the form of two theaters placed side by side with an oval arena, allowing everyone, from every seat, to see the spectacles being played out in the sand below, without risk of missing anything. The people of Nimes, which was then known as Nemausus, would watch the games being played there from animal hunts including lions, tigers, and even elephants to the well-known gladiatorial battles from where they sat according to their social position. At the Arena, people who had been sentenced to death would also be executed and thrown into the animals. The Roman Empire was a rich, urbanized society at its height in the first and second centuries. This stability was upended by turmoil in the third century CE. Civil wars ripped the empire asunder, the barbarians grew more menacing, and plagues made everything worse. Due to the fact that gladiatorial combat was an urban phenomenon, it faded along with the cities. The city of Nîmes started to retrace and fortify its walls in the fourth century. The monument played a significant role in Nîmes ' defense when the amphitheater ' s arcades were blocked off. The former amphitheater, now a fortified castle, was filled with residents of the town seeking safety. The amphitheater has shown to be a very efficient defense despite the several sieges it endured. By seizing Nîmes, Arabs from Spain destroyed the Visigoth empire in 725. They were later pursued for thirty years by the Franks, who eventually made Nîmes their home. A mere shadow of the city ' s previous Roman self, meanwhile, remained. Under the Visigoths, Nimes Arena started to serve a military purpose in the sixth century. It served as an emergency sanctuary for the citizens of the town in the case of an assault and had a sizable moat to assist keep hostile forces out after being transformed from a sports arena into a castle fortress, or " castrum arena." 2

1.4 History and Timeline Analysis A new expansion was not to take place until the 12th century. The Count of Toulouse gave his vassals in Nîmes permission to construct a new city wall in 1194 as a symbol of this rebirth. This wall' s design roughly matched the town ' s current boulevards. The amphitheater continued to play a significant role in the town ' s defense strategy at that time. There, a true neighborhood with its own St. Peter and St. Martin churches developed. In the 12th century, Nimes Arena would go on to play an even more elaborate function when it was transformed into the residence of the Viscount of Nimes and the site of a chateau. Soon, a small residential area had sprouted inside its walls. Nimes Arena had about 150 buildings inside it in the 18th century, but they were all destroyed in 1786 so that the area could be restored to its former Roman splendor. The amphitheater continued to be a residential area even after losing its military importance during the course of the 14th century. King Francis I aspired to restore the amphitheater to its original state, influenced by Renaissance concepts, but at the time, all that was accomplished was the removal of the structures from the first floor gallery. There were still 150 buildings inside the arena during the 18th century, and hundreds of people were residing there. As the surrounding dwellings were destroyed in 1786, the monument' s clearance process got under way. Only two of the walled arcades with their medieval windows that were located across from the Palace of Justice have been preserved, serving as a reminder of that time. The renovation of the structure was finished in the middle of the 19th century by the architect Henri Revoil. Since the first bullfight, which took place in 1853, the general public has once more been able to observe celebrations, sporting events, entertainment, and bullfights on a regular basis. Beyond its historical significance, the Arena of Nîmes hosts two bullfights each year as part of the Feria de Nîmes. It is also used for various open-air activities like concerts and a recreation of the "Great Roman Games " from antiquity. The Nimes Arena has been completely restored and is now a wellliked tourist destination that offers visitors a look into the dramatic world of the Roman amphitheater. The site is not only amazing, but also quite educational and ideal for fans of ancient history because it includes an interactive audio commentary and in-depth exhibitions. 3

2 . 0 S I T E C O N T E X T A N A L Y S I S 2.1 Building Accessibility 2.2 Relationships of Building with Surroundings 2.2.0 Landmarks surrounding Arena of Nimes 2.2.1 Cathedrale NotreDame-Et-Saint-Castor de A Roman amphitheater known as the Arena of Nîmes can be located in Nîmes, France. It was remodeled in 1863 to function as a bullring after being built around 100 A.D. Two bullfights are held at the Arena of Nimes each year, and other public events are also held there. A central elliptical space that is 133 m long and 101 m broad is enclosed by the building. 34 rows of seats in a circle around it are held up by vaulted structures. It has a 24,00 spectator capacity and has had a heating system and retractable roof since 1989. During the reign of Emperor Augustus, the Arena of Nîmes was built. The amphitheater was walled in and fortified by the Visigoths during the fall of the Roman Empire. Ellipsoidal in design, the arena measures 133 meters long, 101 meters broad, and has a height of 21 meters. Each of the two levels is surrounded by sixty arches, and the attic sits on top. A network of concentric tunnels beneath the seating connects the various levels through 126 stairs. France ' s Nimes region is where. La Maison Carrée, Tour Magne, Temple de Diane, Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, Place de l'Horloge, Castellum Aquae, Cathedrale Notre-Dame-Et-Saint-Castor de Nîmes, and La Porte Auguste are just a few of the well-known tourist attractions that one could visit. 4

2.2.2 La Maison Carrée 2.2.3 Temple de Diane 2.2.4 Esplanade Charles-deGaulle 2.2.5 La Porte Auguste 2.2.6 Castellum Aquae 2.2.7 Place de l'Horloge 5

3 . 0 A R C H I T E C T U R A L L A Y O U T Around the Colosseum, there were numerous more structures with a gaming theme. The renowned gladiator training facility Ludus Magnus was located on the east side of the Colosseum. An subterranean corridor linking the academy and the amphitheater provides the gladiators with easy access. Ludus Matutinus, a training facility for animals and fighters, the Gallic School, and the Dacian School were among the many institutions erected nearby. The Spoliarium, a location where deceased gladiators ' bodies were disposed of, was one of the surrounding supporting structures. the Sanitarium, which was used to heal wounded gladiators, the Summum Choragium, where machinery was kept, and the Armamentarium, which was used to store weapons. Diagram 3.1 Floor Plan of the Arena of Nimes 6

3 . 1 T J E P L A N O F T H E A M P H I T H E A T E R 7

4 . 0 A R C H I T E C T U R A L A N A L Y S I S An oval core arena of 133 m long by 101 m broad is enclosed by the Nimes Roman Amphitheatre. It is surrounded by 34 rows of seats that are held up by a vaulted framework (a collection of arches). It has a 24,000-seat capacity and has had a heating system and retractable canopy since 1989. Diagram 3.1 Floor Plan of the Arena of Nimes 4.1 Cross Section Plan of Arena of Nimes 8

Very Hard Stone Roquemaillère Quarry (very durable compact limestone from 120 millionyear-old Hauterivian period) Roquemaillère Is also called Pierre de Roquemaillere, a type of bluish-gray fossilized limestone that is prominently mined in France. For countertops, mosaic, exterior-interior wall and floor applications, fountains, pool and wall capping, stairs, window sills, and other design projects, this stone is particularly suitable. The following are the processes honed, aged, polished, sawn cut, sanded, rock-faced, sandblasted, bush hammered, or tumbled are the few methods commonly applied. Hard Stone Barutel Quarry (compact limestone from the Hauterivian age, 120 million years ago) This light grey, blue-tinged limestone was dense and homogeneous, and it was utilized to construct the Amphitheatre of Nimes (France) during the Gallo-Roman era. The natural surface aspect and color of Barutel have made it excellently suitable for contemporary art, and it is readily available in huge quantities and large format units. 5 . 0 B U I L D I N G C O N S T R U C T I O N , S T R U C T U R E , A N D M A T E R I A L A N A L Y S I S 5.1 Stone The Roman walls, the outline of which can still be seen today marked on the pavement outside, passed just a few meters behind one side of it and were built with stone from nearby quarries. Travertine Blocks for load-bearing pillars external walls, stairs, and radial walls. Two 4200 m2 translucent polyester tarpaulins form a 13 m high air cushion and make up the roof. Both membranes used to cover the arena are composed of polyester cloth that has been PVC coated; the bottom membrane is supported by a system of cables to lessen the curvature of its interior. The actual structure comprises an oval steel compression ring with cushioned membranes that are hinged. This incredibly flexible compression ring is simultaneously bent and stabilized. Thirty supporting metallic columns support the selfstabilizing steel ring, which resembles a wheel hub. 5.2. Limestone While the Romans advanced the technology of lime manufacturing and the creation and application of lime mortar between 300 BCE and 200 CE. is the main source of lime and is a type of sedimentary carbonate rock. Diagram 3.1 Floor Plan of the Arena of Nimes 9

Firm Stone Lens Quarry (Urgonian facies, fine-grained limestone from the Barremian period, 16 million years ago) For the prominent aspects are its homogeneity, solidity, and extremely fine texture, it is the perfect material for sculpture. Due to its whiteness, this item has more uses than solely as a decoration although it can draw attention to a certain area of a building. Soft Stone Sernhac/Beaucaire/Mus Quarry (Langhian age porous coarse limestone, 15 million years ago) It is a limestone consisting of delicate cream hues with veining and inclusions of warm amber tones. 5.1 The Quarries 1 0

6 . 0 A R C H I T E C T U R A L E L E M E N T S A N D C O M P O N E N T S A N A L Y S I S 6.1 Engaged Columns and Pilasters The Amphitheatre has minimal ornamentation because its structure stands alone as adequate. The Doric order is represented by the engaged columns and pilasters that provide rhythm to the façade. Ancient architects frequently employed Doric columns for the ground floor of multi-story buildings considering that they are thicker than Ionic and Corinthian columns, they believed Doric columns could sustain greater weight. Arch is a vertical curved opening that also carries loads above it. Every type of structure can be enhanced using arched elements. In establishing the Arena of Nimes, arches play a fundamental role as much as the columns and pilasters because the arch concept is applied to take advantage of the concrete ' s ability to withstand compressive stress. 6.2 Arches 6.1.1 Engaged Columns and Pilasters of Arena of Nimes 6.1.2 Doric Order 6.2 Arches of Arena of Nimes 1 1

5.1 The Quarries 6.3 Arena The oval-shaped arena has high seating tiers encircling a level event area. This stage is an open air theater; a location for events that presents acts externally, thus the theater is exposed to the sky. The arena is surrounded by a gallery of 34 rows of seats with a capacity for over 20,000 people. The stage shows dominance in the structure because of its space and is uniquely different from the rest. With that said, it means it also represents centralization as the seats encircling the arena signifies that the center of attention must be put on the occurrences on the stage. 6.3 Arena 1 2

7 . 0 C O N C L U S I O N Nimes Arena was a marvel of Roman engineering that was built during the reign of Emperor Augustus in the 1st century with its grand and majestic façade of archways and ornamentation that gives the imagery of grandeur and royalty to the structure. Aside from decorative identification, each detail of this stunning structure made a mark of its symbolic, functional, and even cultural value. It is also well known for being a vast oval stone amphitheater Colosseum that could seat up to 24,000 people in its 34 terraces and was built for ordinary people so that they could watch such spectacles as gladiator games, mock naval battles, wild animal hunts, and public executions. Today, the existence of the theater continues its legacy by adapting to various changes and preserving the history that it brings from the oldfashioned Roman way of living. 1 3

5.1 The Quarries cie, G. M. &. (2007). Arena of nîmes: Overall interior view. // CurateND. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://curate.nd.edu/show/br86b279s30 Buffalo Architecture and History. (n.d). Roman Architecture in Nimes, France. Ingenious Inc. Retrieved February 3 2023, from https://www.buffaloah.com/a/virtual/fr/nimes/index.html Johnson, L. (2021). This marvel of roman engineering has stood the test of Time. History Hit. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.historyhit.com/locations/nimes-arena/ Limited, A. (2015). Old plan of the arena of Nimes Roman Amphitheater, France. top view and isolated element on white background by unidentified author published on Magasin Pittoresque Paris 1839 stock photo. Alamy. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.alamy.com/old-plan-of-the-arena-of-nimes-roman-amphitheater-france-topview-image157209375.html Nash, S. (2021). Les Arènes de Nîmes - Roman amphitheatre. Archaeology Travel. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://archaeology-travel.com/france/the-roman-arena-nimes/ Nimes Arena Lin architects urbanists. World. (1989). Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.world-architects.com/fr/lin-architects-urbanists-berlin/project/nimes-arena Simply France. (2022). Nimes Roman Amphitheatre: The exploration guide. Simply France. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://simply-france.com/nimes-roman-amphitheatrethe-exploration-guide/ Storta, E., Borghi, A., Perotti, L., Palomba, M., & Deodato, A. (2022). Minero-petrographic characterization of stone materials used for the roman amphitheater of Eporedia (Ivrea, To): A scientific-dissemination proposal in the Cultural Heritage. Resources Policy, 77, 102668. From: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301420722001167 The arena of Nîmes. The Arena of Nîmes | Avignon et Provence. (n.d.). Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.avignon-et-provence.com/en/monuments/arena-nimes The 10 best nimes sights & historical landmarks to visit. Tripadvisor. (2020). Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g187154-Activities-c47- Nimes_Gard_Occitanie.html The Cultural Landscape Foundation. (n.d.). Amphitheater. The Cultural Landscape Foundation. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.tclf.org/category/designedlandscapetypes/amphitheater#:~:text=An%20outdoor%20theater%20with%20a,sides%E2%80%9D%20of %20a%20performance%20space. Wikimedia Foundation. (2023). Arena of nîmes. Wikipedia. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arena_of_N%C3%AEmes B I B L I O G R A P H Y 1 4