The Circus Maximus
Located between the Aventine and Palatine Hills, the Circus Maximus was
the largest chariot racing arena of its kind.
The Circus Maximus first constructed in 6 B.C.E by the fifth king of
Rome Tarquinius Priscus and was used as an arena mainly for chariot races but did play host to a large number of events.
The Ludi Romani, or “Roman Games”, was held here before the
Colosseum was constructed. These Ludi
involved a large variety of events including chariot races,
gladiatorial battles, military marches and animal hunts. The Circus
Maximus was arguably one of the largest structures in Rome, with Pliny the
Elder suggesting that at maximum capacity the Circus could hold 250, 000
spectators, however modern historians say the number would have been closer to
150, 000. Compare this to the Colosseum which could hold around 50, 000 people.
In 140 C.E a large section of the Circus collapsed, killing
1, 112 spectators. This is, arguably, one of the worst sporting disasters in
history.
The Circus Maximus was used as an entertainment venue; entry was free and absolutely anyone could attend, from men, women and children of noble birth to the poorest of poor and even slaves. The original purpose of the events, mainly the ludi, was religious they became a way to display generosity, kindness and generosity for the higher office of the organizer. So we can assume that the games and events were open to the public could have been a political statement. A leader would host an extravagant event that the people could attend and therefore have their opinions of the host leader risen thus making this venue, to a degree, a political statement. As well as being a political statement the Circus Maximus was seen as an escape for the people of Rome.
Even today the Circus Maximus remains are still used for entertainment. When Italy defeated France in the FIFA World Cup in 2006 for example, 150,000 people celebrated at the Circus Maximus. As well as celebrations the Circus today also plays host to music concerts and rallies. |
Significant Features
The Circus was a massive structure measuring around 540 x 80m and had 12 starting gates for the chariots. The track was covered in sand with a decorated barrier (spina) down the centre of the track so that the chariots ran in a circuit around the central barrier. At first seven sculpted eggs were used to mark the laps passed. These eggs were used to represent Castor and Pollux, the divine patrons of horses, horsemen and the equestrienne order.
In 33 B.C.E Agrippa commissioned seven bronze dolphins to supplement the eggs in the keeping of the laps. Augustus constructed the pulvinars, a shrine built into the seating below the Palatine Hill which was used as an imperial box to watch the games and where images if the gods were installed after a procession from the Capitol. Augustus, in 10 B.C.E, also erected an obelisk on the spina as a dedication to the Sun and as a monument of his conquest of Egypt. This Obelisk was the first of its kind to be brought to Rome. Two Egyptian obelisks adorned the spina of the Circus Maximus: the Lateranese, which is the largest standing ancient Egyptian obelisk in the world standing at 45.70 m (including base) and weighs over 230 tonnes. The second obelisk on the spina was the Flaminon which stands to a height of ,including the base, 36.50 m.
Below is a scene from the film Ben Hur (1959). The clip shows features of the Circus Maximus including the dolphin counters and the spina as well as the brutality of the races may have been.
The Circus was a massive structure measuring around 540 x 80m and had 12 starting gates for the chariots. The track was covered in sand with a decorated barrier (spina) down the centre of the track so that the chariots ran in a circuit around the central barrier. At first seven sculpted eggs were used to mark the laps passed. These eggs were used to represent Castor and Pollux, the divine patrons of horses, horsemen and the equestrienne order.
In 33 B.C.E Agrippa commissioned seven bronze dolphins to supplement the eggs in the keeping of the laps. Augustus constructed the pulvinars, a shrine built into the seating below the Palatine Hill which was used as an imperial box to watch the games and where images if the gods were installed after a procession from the Capitol. Augustus, in 10 B.C.E, also erected an obelisk on the spina as a dedication to the Sun and as a monument of his conquest of Egypt. This Obelisk was the first of its kind to be brought to Rome. Two Egyptian obelisks adorned the spina of the Circus Maximus: the Lateranese, which is the largest standing ancient Egyptian obelisk in the world standing at 45.70 m (including base) and weighs over 230 tonnes. The second obelisk on the spina was the Flaminon which stands to a height of ,including the base, 36.50 m.
Below is a scene from the film Ben Hur (1959). The clip shows features of the Circus Maximus including the dolphin counters and the spina as well as the brutality of the races may have been.
Questions
1) Why was the Circus Maximus important for the people of Rome? (1 paragraph)
2)
2)