INTRIGUING ANIMATION SHOWS THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE COLOSSEUM IN ANCIENT ROME
Big, complex venues and meticulously crafted entertainment are two things that may feel very modern, but somehow they aren't. At the Colosseum in Ancient Rome, spectacular performances and grand battles occurred, uniting the crowds. However, don't be misled by the appearance of this landmark now. As an animated video by Deconstructed shows, based on thorough research, the Colosseum was an engineering marvel that was well ahead of its time.
To authentically portray the magnificence of this structure, Deconstructed digitally rebuilt the entire Colosseum from scratch. Instead of focusing on the actual gladiatorial games and performances, the animators spend their time illustrating how they occurred, from managing crowds entering and exiting to the method of introducing animals and gladiators into the arena, which appears as if they emerge from thin air.
Furthermore, the team conducts an in-depth exploration of two aspects that demonstrate the advanced nature of the Colosseum. The initial aspect is the naumachia, or maritime conflicts held at the Colosseum. To realise these spectacles with boats and everything, the arena was transformed into a lake, with water sourced from nearby aqueducts and subsequently drained through a channel system linked to the city's sewers. The other feature is the velarium, an expansive retractable awning composed of 240 individual sections that shielded visitors from the glaring sun, as spending hours in direct sunlight would have been uncomfortable
“To bring this Roman masterpiece back to life, we've meticulously remodelled the Colosseum using historical texts, archaeological evidence, and a touch of educated guesswork,” writes the team from Deconstructed. “While some details are lost to history, this recreation offers the closest glimpse yet into how this ancient marvel truly worked—a testament to the ingenuity of Roman engineering.”
You can watch their insightful Colosseum video below, and follow them on YouTube for more animated explanations on how the world works, and worked before us.
