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Roman Urban Building

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Submitted By tmbarefield1
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The Romans created urban centers that looked and functioned much like our urban centers do today. Pick an example of an actual coliseum, arena, or civic center in your area. Describe its style and function as if it were a Roman building in a Roman city.

I would compare Atlanta’s local coliseum to the Roman urban center, the name is Philips Arena. The Philips Arena is a multipurpose indoor arena. It is home for the Atlanta Hawks, National Basketball Association and Atlanta Dream, of the Women’s National Basketball Association. It also is home to the National Hockey League’s Atlanta Thrashers from 1999-2011. In addition the Philips Arena host concerts, plays, evangelistic events, musicals, comedy shows, NBA All-Star game and US Figure Skating Championship. Philips Arena which is located in Atlanta, GA could be compared to the Roman basilicas. These buildings were large, served many functions, and it demonstrated the practicality of the Romans. Philips Arena maximum capacity is 21,000 people for concerts and other entertainment events. The arena seats a little over 18,000 for basketball and a little over 17,000 for ice hockey. It has 92 luxury suites, and 1,866 club seats. I have attended several events at the Philips Arena and I hold many memories.

If Philips Arena were a Roman basilica, it would serve many purposes. When people wanted to do inside group activities this is where they could go. When you enter you would be in a long hall which would have variety shows and booths on both side of the hall. People would be buying and selling merchandise. It would also be a city’s meeting place. People could stand in groups while having conversations. As you walk down the hall to do your shopping, there would be doors every few feet on either side. These doors would lead to meeting rooms and a huge auditorium. Politicians would give speeches and judges would hear court cases inside the auditorium. Philips Arena would have been important Roman buildings. (285)

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