An awning is visible at the top of this contemporary fresco of a riot on and around the Pompeii Amphitheater. Surviving graffiti in Pompeii[1] advertise that next games will have awnings (Vela erunt).[2]
Velarium is visible in the background in Jean-Léon Gérôme's painting Ave Caesar! Morituri te salutant
Model of the Colosseum with its velarium in the Museum of Roman Civilization

A velarium ("curtain")[3] was a type of awning used in Roman times. It stretched over the whole of the cavea, the seating area in amphitheaters to protect spectators from the sun.[4][2] Retractable awnings were relatively common throughout the Roman Empire. Though the precise details are unclear, the awning was evidently usually supported by wooden masts, the sockets and brackets for which remain on the Colosseum and Arena of Nîmes, for example.[5][6][2]

The Colosseum

The Colosseum being the biggest amphitheater of Roman times, the velarium that covered it was the biggest that ever was as well. It provided shade from the sun for up to one third of the arena. The velarium also created a ventilation updraft, creating circulation and a cool breeze.[2]

It is believed that sailors from the Misenum fleet, with their background in sailmaking and rigging were employed to build, maintain and operate the velarium.

In modern times

The Puy du Fou theme park, in France, has a Roman-style amphitheatre built for some of its shows, complete with an antique-style velarium.

Puy du fou theme park – the arenes with the velarium closed
Puy du fou theme park – the arenes with the velarium deployed

References

  1. ^ Clauss, Manfred; Kolb, Anne; Slaby, Wolfgang A.; Woitas, Barbara. "Epigraphik Datenbank". db.edcs.eu. Retrieved 28 June 2021. CIL 04, 07992 = GladPar 00007 = AE 1991, +00433
  2. ^ a b c d "Was the Colosseum covered? The story of the Velarium". Through Eternity. 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  3. ^ Cf. velum, "veil, sail".
  4. ^ "Awning at the Colosseum".
  5. ^ Yarwood, Doreen, The Architecture of Europe, p. 58, 1987 (first edn. 1974), Spring Books, ISBN 0600554309; Juvenal iv.121
  6. ^ Suetonius, Life of Caligula 26 (Text).


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