HaitiLibre Quiz

The 7 Wonders of the World 2.1 WORLD

Difficulty Level: N2 Intermediate
Welcome to this second quiz of intermediate difficulty dedicated to the seven wonders of the world. Mixing questions targeted on ancient and modern monuments, these questions here require a slightly more in-depth analysis of history and architecture. Test your knowledge against the technical details, political contexts and structural puzzles of these masterpieces.
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In terms of engineering, what major structural element allowed the Colosseum in Rome to support the immense weight of its stands and its 50,000 spectators?

75% of players answered correctly.

THE CORRECT ANSWER: A complex network of semicircular arches and interlocking barrel vaults

The construction of the Colosseum in the 1st century represents a pinnacle of Roman engineering, made possible by the mastery of the arch and concrete. To support the colossal weight of the structure and the pressure of thousands of spectators, the architects did not use solid walls, which would have collapsed under their own mass.They imagined a revolutionary system of semicircular arches spread over several levels. These arches directed the forces towards thick travertine pillars. Inside, the interweaving of barrel vaults and groin vaults made it possible to evenly distribute the loads while creating the circulation corridors necessary for the rapid evacuation of the crowd.This self-supporting architectural skeleton, both light and incredibly robust, has allowed the monument to stand the test of time despite earthquakes and the looting of materials in the Middle Ages.