Description of Plate IV.
THE COLOSSEUM IN 1874.
Substructure.
Interior, at the South-east end. View in the Passages.
In the centre of the view, at the foot, are seen the boards for the wheelbarrows of the workmen, leaning against the top of the arch of the great subterranean drain to carry off the water when it was let off with a rush after the naval fights. Under the boards are remains of an ancient iron grating, to prevent any object being carried off into the drain by the force of the water. On each side of these boards are traces of the flood-gate, by which the water could be stopped, or the rate of it regulated.
Beyond this, on each side, is a wide arch of stone parallel to the great central passage. These arches open into two large and lofty vaulted chambers of considerable length, passing under the galleries. In the pavement of the floor in each of these is a line of seven sockets for pivots to work in, some of which retain the bronze socket, in others it has been torn out.
Between the two great round-headed arches is seen a square-topped opening at the end of a long passage over the great drain. This was the passage for the animals that were brought through it in their cages, excepting the elephants, which were led into the large dens provided for them, two on each side of the passage further on.
Above this was the state entrance from the south towards S. Clement’s and the Lateran, and on each side are the ruins of the galleries as before.
THE COLOSSEUM.
PLATE V.
INTERIOR, TOWARDS THE SOUTH-WEST,
With the Substructures in 1874.
THE COLOSSEUM IN 1874
INTERIOR S.W.—THE SUBSTRUCTURES