The Circus Flaminius
The Circus Flaminius was a large, circular arena located
in the Ancient City of Rome at the southern end of the Campus Martius and ran
lengthways beside the Tiber River. It contained
various buildings as well as a small race track
all of which were built in 221 BC under the command of Gaius Flaminius Nepos, a
politician and consul of the Roman Republic. Originally, the Circus was a loop,
approximately 500 meters in length, built across the Flaminian Fields. ”Gaius Flaminius, when he was censor,
paved the Via Flaminia and built the Circus Flaminius” - Livy, 99.2, Bk. 20
The circus did not have built up permanent seating or structures to mark the perimeter of the race track like the larger Circus Maximus, and it was never designed to challenge to larger Circus by any means. The Circus Flaminius did not contain a track designed for chariot racing although it did hold the Taurian Games, which consisted of horseback racing around turning posts. These games were held to appease the gods of the underworld as equestrian events were often associated with underworld deities. The Circus Flaminius was also used as an area where assemblies and markets were held as well as a staging ground for significant processions. To mark the commemoration of the building of the Forum of Augustus in 2BC, the circus was flooded for the slaughter of 36 crocodiles.
It is claimed by Latin author and historian Valerius Maximus that one of the events annually held at The Circus Flaminius were the Plebeian Games or Ludi Plebeii. These games were associated with the Plebeian (plebs, common working class citizens) and were said to have been held from 220 BC onward and included performances, re-enactments and athletic competitions.
The circus did not have built up permanent seating or structures to mark the perimeter of the race track like the larger Circus Maximus, and it was never designed to challenge to larger Circus by any means. The Circus Flaminius did not contain a track designed for chariot racing although it did hold the Taurian Games, which consisted of horseback racing around turning posts. These games were held to appease the gods of the underworld as equestrian events were often associated with underworld deities. The Circus Flaminius was also used as an area where assemblies and markets were held as well as a staging ground for significant processions. To mark the commemoration of the building of the Forum of Augustus in 2BC, the circus was flooded for the slaughter of 36 crocodiles.
It is claimed by Latin author and historian Valerius Maximus that one of the events annually held at The Circus Flaminius were the Plebeian Games or Ludi Plebeii. These games were associated with the Plebeian (plebs, common working class citizens) and were said to have been held from 220 BC onward and included performances, re-enactments and athletic competitions.
Circuses along with amphitheatres and theatres were the main form of entertainment in Ancient Rome. The Circus Flaminius was by no means the most extravagant circus but it still drew in crowds and provided a social function in which all classes could attend. “ People anxiously desire only two things, the grain dole and chariot races in the Circus” (Satires 10.77-81) Although the Circus Flaminius did not hold chariot races like most other Circuses it still provided Plebeians with a social event to escape from the chores of everyday life. Roman Circuses were designed to divert the attention of the poorest citizens of Rome away from political matters to avoid any possible rioting or revolts against government. Under the reign of Emperor Augustus free entry into entertainment venues was declared in hope of keeping all classes content.
Activity
Activity
- What are
the differences between the Circus Flaminius and other Ancient Roman Circuses?
- How did the
Circus Flaminius and other Circuses impact the lives of the Plebeians?
Bibliography
McManus, B. (2003) ‘The Circus: Roma Chariot Racing’, The College of New Rochelle
Retrieved 16th August 2015
http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/circus.html
University of Virginia, (2008) ‘Rome Reborn’
Retrieved 26th August
http://romereborn.frischerconsulting.com/ge/GF-008-PA.html
Wikipedia,‘Plebeian Games’
Retrieved 20th August 2015, Last updated 14th March 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plebeian_Games
Wikipedia, ‘Circus’
Retrieved 20th August 2015, Last updated 13th May 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_(building)
Wikipedia, ‘Circus Flaminius’
Retrieved 13th August, Last updated 17th March 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_Flaminius
McManus, B. (2003) ‘The Circus: Roma Chariot Racing’, The College of New Rochelle
Retrieved 16th August 2015
http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/circus.html
University of Virginia, (2008) ‘Rome Reborn’
Retrieved 26th August
http://romereborn.frischerconsulting.com/ge/GF-008-PA.html
Wikipedia,‘Plebeian Games’
Retrieved 20th August 2015, Last updated 14th March 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plebeian_Games
Wikipedia, ‘Circus’
Retrieved 20th August 2015, Last updated 13th May 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_(building)
Wikipedia, ‘Circus Flaminius’
Retrieved 13th August, Last updated 17th March 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_Flaminius