Topic 1: Consider the Colosseum and Qin Shi Huangdis entire burial complex, and

write an essay that answers this question: How similar or different are the two? In your last
paragraph, identify the kind of comparative evidence you think is the most relevant and
compelling, and explain why.
Colosseum
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The Ampitheatrum Flavium

Rome is primarily composed of building for the people. In ancient Rome, patrons (like
the emperors) were primarily benefactors of the people, seeing to their needs and
delights. Therefore, many famous buildings were just a form of cultural patronage,
including the colosseum
Used as entertainment and diversion for the masses
Patrons in competition, essentially trying to outdo each other
Begun by the Emperor Vespasian and completed by Emperor Titus
Seated around 50 000
Paid for by war spoils from the Jewish war
Essentially combines a victory monument with entertainment
Strict seating according to social class and rank
Doric, Ionic and Corinthian orders used; diverse architecture
Awnings; games and gifts distributed; 80 arcades to enter and exit
Circus tricks; hunts; animal fights; executions; gladiatorial fights; naval battles
Created with the dual purpose of upholding the legacy and commemorating the greatness
of emperor Vespasian/Titus as well as providing entertainment for the masses

Burial Complex
-

An enormous complex used to commemorate the death of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi
QSH aspired to immortality and this was the way he did it
Lives on through the ornate tomb, through the terracotta warriors and acrobats, imperial
chariots and stone armor pits. An enormous display to emphasize his greatness
A pyramidal tomb, likely inspired by Turkey c.215
Some of his accomplishments: conquered all of China, established a common language,
standardized Chinese script, standardized weights and measures, built roads
Mausoleum is incredibly elaborate, although this s entirely based on speculation as
everyone who took part in the construction was trapped inside
The Terracotta warriors function as the imperial guard for the emperors tomb
Horse culture heavily emphasized
Horse sculptures display an affinity for anatomy moreso than the human sculptures, as
they are heavily clothed
Terracotta army is heavily individuated
This affinity for anatomy is also reflected by the acrobats
This type of sculpture came through Greece and the conquest of Alexander the Great

Similarities
-

Sheer size is enormous , scale is grand and almost overwhelming

Used to some extent to maintain a legacy and put the rulers achievements on display
Greek influenced the sculpture and architecture quite heavily

Difference
-

Function; one is used as a grave while one is primarily for entertainment and for the
people
Colosseum is centralized while the burial mound is quite spread out
Displays power and prominence through ornate architecture; displays power through the
terracotta armydifferent ways of remaining immortal

Thesis
While completely unrelated in function, both the Colosseum and Qin Shi Huangdis Burial
complex are testaments of the human desire for eternal life or immortality. However, they
accomplish this in significantly different ways.
Evidence 1
Scale/Location
Colosseum was estimated to have taken 100 000 cubic metres of travertine and 300 tonnes of
iton clamps. It seats 50 000 people, 80 arcades to enter and exit, . It is elliptical in plan and is 189
meters (615 ft / 640 Roman feet) long, and 156 meters (510 ft / 528 Roman feet) wide, with a base
area of 6 acres (24,000 m2). The height of the outer wall is 48 meters (157 ft / 165 Roman feet). The
perimeter originally measured 545 meters (1,788 ft / 1,835 Roman feet). The central arena is an oval
87 m (287 ft) long and 55 m (180 ft) wide, surrounded by a wall 5 m (15 ft) high, above which rose
tiers of seating. The sheer size of the structure is a clear indication that Vespasian wanted this

structure to live on forever as a testament to his generosity and even moreso, his prowess. In
contrast to the many ampitheatres placed on the outskirts of the city
Insert evidence here of spread out, smaller displays while still maintaining the grand scale
(massive terracotta army and so on) 6000 terracotta warriors +chariots, horses, acrobats, 40 000
bronze weapons all to protect the emperor in the afterlife and ensure his legacy lives on.
Evidence 2
War Monument vs. Tomb. Differing functions but both serving the purpose to create a lasting
testament of their greatness. Construction of the Colosseum began under the rule of the
Emperor Vespasian[5] in around 7072 AD, funded by the spoils taken from the Jewish Temple after
the Siege of Jerusalem. According to a reconstructed inscription found on the site, "the emperor
Vespasian ordered this new amphitheatre to be erected from his general's share of the booty." This
is thought to refer to the vast quantity of treasure seized by the Romans following their victory in

the Great Jewish Revolt in 70 AD. The Colosseum can be thus interpreted as a great triumphal
monument built in the Roman tradition of celebrating great victories, [14] placating the Roman people
instead of returning soldiers/ triumph Vespasian and Titus essentially refused the triumph and
wreath of victory claiming that they were just doing Gods work. Moreover, it was primarily for the
people as a form of entertainment and diversion.
Primarily as a tomb and private testament of a his greatness (sealed mausoleum) rather than a
public display. Gather up more info.

Evidence 3
Architecture vs. Combination of architecture (mausoleum) and sculpture (terracotta army,
acrobats, stone armory etc.)

Argument can essentially be boiled down to: Scale/Location (Centralised and enormous vs.
Spread out and large), Function (War Monument/Peoples entertainment vs. Private tomb) and
Artistic Medium (primarily architecture vs primarily sculpture)
Most relevant and compelling
Why?

Topic 2: Write an essay that answers this question: How similar or different are the two
works shown here? In your last paragraph, describe any challenges art historians
(including you) face when trying to improve our understanding of the works. Also identify
a topic pertaining to these works that you think it would be helpful and interesting to
research further.
Work 1: Identify
Anavysos Kouros
Work 2: Identify
Terracotta warrior posing
Similarities
Differences
Thesis

Something to do with how these statues depict organic movement?

Something to do with individuality vs. homogeny
Evidence 1
Evidence 2
Evidence 3
Challenges faced
Helpful topic
The Chinese Terracotta warrior represents a logical next step from the Greek Kouros in
humanities attempt to replicate the natural human body through artistic means.
1: More expansive level of movement
2: Significantly higher level of individuation
3: While the comparison of these two sculptures gives the impression that the Greeks had a
greater grasp of human anatomy, the Terracotta Acrobats as well as their horse sculptures say
otherwise