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Circus
Maximus |
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| The Circus Maximus (Latin for greatest
circus) is an ancient hippodrome and mass entertainment venue located in
the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills, it was the first and
largest circus in ancient Rome. The site is now a public park and retains
little evidence of its former use. The Circus Maximus site was first utilized for public games and entertainment by the Etruscan kings of Rome. It is known that the first games of the Ludi Romani (Roman Games) were staged at here by Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth Etruscan ruler of Rome. Later on, the arena was the site of public games and festivals influenced by the Greeks in the 2nd century BC. Meeting the demands of the Roman citizenry for mass public entertainment on a lavish scale, Julius Caesar expanded the Circus around 50 BC. After this revitalization, the track measured approximately 621 m (2,037 ft) in length, 118 m (387 ft) in breadth and could accommodate an estimated 270,000 spectators (many more, perhaps an equal number again, could view the games by standing, crowding and lining the adjoining hills). |
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The map below is a representation of how "downtown" Rome looked during the reign of the Roman Empire. The Circus Maximus, located in the lower right-hand corner, was on a flat piece of land right under the Palatine Hill. Several persons of note had villas on the hill that overlooked the circus. Many triumphant parades that were held in the city and the route of the parade often went through the Circus Maximus as it had a capacity of over 250,000 people. The parade route normally would travel from left to right through the circus to the Via Triumphalis (now Via di S. Gregorio), through the Arco di Costantino (Arch of Constantine) and then make a left turn into the Forum.
Map courtesy of
http://en.wikipedia.org
| Chariot racing was the most important event at the Circus. The track could hold twelve chariots, and the two sides of the track were separated by a raised median called the "spina". The spina was set slightly diagonally. Statues of various gods were set up on the spina, and Augustus erected an Egyptian obelisk on it as well. At either end of the spina was a turning post called a "meta", around which chariots made dangerous turns at speed. On the spina, there were rotatable metal dolphins that were turned down to mark laps around the course. Chariot racing was an extremely dangerous sport, frequently resulting in spectacular crashes and the death of one or more of the contestants. |
One end of the track extended further back
than the other, to allow the chariots to line up to begin the race. Here
there were starting gates, or "carceres", which staggered the chariots so
that each traveled the same distance to the first turn. During these chariot
races, bribery of the judge in order to fix the start of the race was very
common. The race went for a total distance of about 6.5 km (4 mi). |
| At the left is a representation of what the Circus
Maximus may have looked like during the glory days of Rome. This photo is
courtesy of www.tqnyc.org.
ThinkQuest New York City creatively brings together learning and technology for students and educators. Combining the power of technology with proven educational principles, ThinkQuest New York City offers exciting programming including the annual “ThinkQuest Challenge”, a contest for students to create educational websites. Critical to its mission is to provide training for teachers and educators in schools and after-school programs. |
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**NOTE: All photos taken by Jim Bruner. Photos may be reproduced, however; if used for commercial purposes (including any print media or on the internet), please credit with the following: Photo by Jim Bruner and provided courtesy of www.gettingaway.com.
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