eli5 why ancient historical buildings haven’t been kept up? Why are buildings like the Parthenon and the Colosseum in such disrepair? Greece and Rome/Italy have existed the entire time?
In: 508
The Parthenon is an interesting one. It was mostly intact until 1687. The Ottoman Empire controlled the city and was using it to store gunpowder. The city came under attack by the invading Venetian army, and the Turkish garrison withdrew to the Acropolis, at which point the structure was struck by mortar fire causing a massive explosion that killed 300 and destroyed the Parthenon.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_the_Acropolis_(1687)
I don’t know if you’re American, but think about buildings like:
-Michigan Central Station, Detroit (abandoned for decades, with some revitalization in progress)
-Any abandoned mall (abandoned, future tbd)
-Astrodome, Houston (abandoned, future tbd)
and ask how they fell into a state of abandonment and disrepair despite the governments of the United States and every state and local government that have jurisdiction over these respective structures staying intact. These buildings became old, expensive to maintain/renovate, and outlived their economic usefulness.
Same thing with these older buildings. Why pay to keep up an old stadium or temple that nobody uses anyway?
Additionally, it’s important to note that the nation that built the Colosseum is not the same nation that is called Italy today. Rome fell around 476 AD along with a lot of the wealth and infrastructure to support something like the Colosseum. Italy wasn’t reunited as a single nation until 1861. Rome didn’t surpass its ancient population until after WWII.
Nope, they didn’t exist for the entire time. Greece was missing from the map for centuries; at first, it was a part of the Eastern Roman Empire (though a core part), then a part of the Ottoman Empire (an oppressed colony). Italy was split into disparate city states for the entirety of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The city of Rome was held by the powerful Papal State (a much larger predecessor to modern day Vatican), but it was not interested in preserving “pagan” monuments (the same could be said about the Eastern Roman Empire).
Nope, they didn’t exist for the entire time. Greece was missing from the map for centuries; at first, it was a part of the Eastern Roman Empire (though a core part), then a part of the Ottoman Empire (an oppressed colony). Italy was split into disparate city states for the entirety of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The city of Rome was held by the powerful Papal State (a much larger predecessor to modern day Vatican), but it was not interested in preserving “pagan” monuments (the same could be said about the Eastern Roman Empire).
The Colosseum has been under control of many different people and used for many different purposes. Each change resulted in modifications (ie the wooden seats were all removed to be used as barricades when people started using it as a fortress instead of a stadium).
A lot of the building has fallen down due to earth quakes. Some of which are quite recent. There’s markers around the outside that show where the REAL outer walls should be. It used to be a lot bigger.
I don’t know if you’re American, but think about buildings like:
-Michigan Central Station, Detroit (abandoned for decades, with some revitalization in progress)
-Any abandoned mall (abandoned, future tbd)
-Astrodome, Houston (abandoned, future tbd)
and ask how they fell into a state of abandonment and disrepair despite the governments of the United States and every state and local government that have jurisdiction over these respective structures staying intact. These buildings became old, expensive to maintain/renovate, and outlived their economic usefulness.
Same thing with these older buildings. Why pay to keep up an old stadium or temple that nobody uses anyway?
Additionally, it’s important to note that the nation that built the Colosseum is not the same nation that is called Italy today. Rome fell around 476 AD along with a lot of the wealth and infrastructure to support something like the Colosseum. Italy wasn’t reunited as a single nation until 1861. Rome didn’t surpass its ancient population until after WWII.
The Colosseum has been under control of many different people and used for many different purposes. Each change resulted in modifications (ie the wooden seats were all removed to be used as barricades when people started using it as a fortress instead of a stadium).
A lot of the building has fallen down due to earth quakes. Some of which are quite recent. There’s markers around the outside that show where the REAL outer walls should be. It used to be a lot bigger.
I don’t know if you’re American, but think about buildings like:
-Michigan Central Station, Detroit (abandoned for decades, with some revitalization in progress)
-Any abandoned mall (abandoned, future tbd)
-Astrodome, Houston (abandoned, future tbd)
and ask how they fell into a state of abandonment and disrepair despite the governments of the United States and every state and local government that have jurisdiction over these respective structures staying intact. These buildings became old, expensive to maintain/renovate, and outlived their economic usefulness.
Same thing with these older buildings. Why pay to keep up an old stadium or temple that nobody uses anyway?
Additionally, it’s important to note that the nation that built the Colosseum is not the same nation that is called Italy today. Rome fell around 476 AD along with a lot of the wealth and infrastructure to support something like the Colosseum. Italy wasn’t reunited as a single nation until 1861. Rome didn’t surpass its ancient population until after WWII.
The same reason why any building falls into disrepair over time. Funds and manpower are allocated to newer building projects or government officials don’t think they’re worth it.
The same reason why any building falls into disrepair over time. Funds and manpower are allocated to newer building projects or government officials don’t think they’re worth it.
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