Circus Maximus
Circus Maximus is another massive roman arena and is the first and largest ancient roman arena. It stood at about 28 meters high, 620 meters long and 120 meters wide, with a perimiter of 1690 meters. It is said that Circus Maximus was laid out by the first roman kings in 6th century CE (AD) and was given its shape by Julius Caesar, but other parts of history say it was planned and built by Tarquinius Priscus.
Circus Maximus was re-built three times. The first was made out of wood, but a fire in 31 BC destroyed the structure. Circus Maximus was re-built by Emperor Augustus, but another fire in 64 AD which started at the wooded shops around the tracks started the fire which burned most of Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero. Once again Circus Maximus was re-built by Trajan in 103 AD, this was while the Roman Empire was at its height of power, so the structure was made out of stone and the seating areas were made out of marble.
The purpose of Circus Maximus was really just for entertainment. Chariot racing was the most common and popular form of entertainment at Circus Maximus, but things like wild animal hunts, executions and gladiator fights were also held there. The chariot racing track was covered in sand, it had 12 starting gates at the open end of the track and the track was about 540 x 80 meters. A barrier ran down the middle of the track called the spina, this was so the chariots could race around the spina. There were four factions/teams; red, blue, white and green, these factions represented the four seasons. Eggs or dolphins were used as lap markers. There were seven circuits/laps, once a lap was finished a lap marker was removed. The last chariot race in Circus Maximus occurred in 549 AD.
Today apart from grass and land not much is left of Circus Maximus. Its significance today isn't very great, but it showed that arenas that big could be built as it is Romes biggest arena and one of the biggest arenas ever. Historically Circus Maximus was significant because of its chariot races and large seating areas. Much like gladiator fights, chariot racing was a great way to be entertained, since entertainment was highly wanted.
Circus Maximus was re-built three times. The first was made out of wood, but a fire in 31 BC destroyed the structure. Circus Maximus was re-built by Emperor Augustus, but another fire in 64 AD which started at the wooded shops around the tracks started the fire which burned most of Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero. Once again Circus Maximus was re-built by Trajan in 103 AD, this was while the Roman Empire was at its height of power, so the structure was made out of stone and the seating areas were made out of marble.
The purpose of Circus Maximus was really just for entertainment. Chariot racing was the most common and popular form of entertainment at Circus Maximus, but things like wild animal hunts, executions and gladiator fights were also held there. The chariot racing track was covered in sand, it had 12 starting gates at the open end of the track and the track was about 540 x 80 meters. A barrier ran down the middle of the track called the spina, this was so the chariots could race around the spina. There were four factions/teams; red, blue, white and green, these factions represented the four seasons. Eggs or dolphins were used as lap markers. There were seven circuits/laps, once a lap was finished a lap marker was removed. The last chariot race in Circus Maximus occurred in 549 AD.
Today apart from grass and land not much is left of Circus Maximus. Its significance today isn't very great, but it showed that arenas that big could be built as it is Romes biggest arena and one of the biggest arenas ever. Historically Circus Maximus was significant because of its chariot races and large seating areas. Much like gladiator fights, chariot racing was a great way to be entertained, since entertainment was highly wanted.
Location
Address: Via del Circo Massimo, 00186 Roma, Italy Circus Maximus is located in Rome, Italy and is South from Forum Romanum |