Rome

Colosseum

Forum

Trajan's Column

Circus Maximus

Ostia

Circus Maximus

One of the most popular forms of entertainment in ancient Rome were the chariot races and these were held in Circuses, the most famous and largest of which was the Circus Maximus. This was a huge open-aired stadium in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills and its proper construction began in 329 B.C. and races were held here until 549 A.D.

The building was 600 metres long and 200 metres wide and could hold 250,000 spectators. The track was roughly oval in shape and had a barrier down the middle called the spina. The spina was decorated with statues and two great obelisks. The turning points at each end of the spina were marked by three conical posts called metae. The chariots were released from twelve starting gates (carceres) at one end of the track. The number of laps raced, usually seven in total, were marked off on completion by large wooden eggs (ova) placed on the spina and therefore clearly visible to everyone.

The audience sat in tiers of seating around the oval circus. The Emperor had a special box situated at the base of the Palatine Hill and half way down the track thus giving him the best view of all.

The chariots raced in teams represented by colours and the spectators showed their support of a team by wearing the colour or placing bets on its success etc. Emperor Caligula supported a particular horse called Incitatus and he took his enthusiasm to extremes. According to the historian Suetonius, Caligula provided the horse with a few luxuries:

'Incitatus had a marble stable, an ivory stall, purple blankets, and a jewelled collar; also a house, furniture and slaves - to entertain guests he invited in the horse's name. It is said he even intended to make Incitatus Consul'.
Suetonius: Life of Caligula 55

The most exciting parts of the race were when the chariots reached the metae. As each one tried to gain the shortest turn around these posts it was not unusual for crashes to occur, sometimes fatal ones; and this was all part of the appeal to the spectators. Compared to the likes of the Colosseum, very little remains of the Circus Maximus today. The impression in the ground is very clear as is the area once inhabited by the spina but there are very few remains of the seating.