Chariot Racing Flashcards
Panem et circenses (bread and circuses)
-entertainment provided by governor to appease public discontent
-The sponsor or editor of the races shared a viewing box and its couches with images of the gods
-In the Imperial era, the box itself took its name (pulvinar) from these couches
Races
Chariot racing began with pompa circenses. -procession around arena
Up to 24 races a day
One race: usually 7 laps of the 550m track
Started by magistrate, throwing a white cloth from his raised platform
Charioteers fighting for a place on the inside track near the central partition, the spina decorated with temples, statues, obelisks
At the end of the spina, there was a meta, a turning point of three large columns
At the end of each lap, one lap-marker (shape of egg or dolphin) was taken down from the spina
Charioteers - driving the chariot
Roman drivers wrapped the reins around their wrist and steered using their body weight
With the reins looped around the torsos, they could lean from one side to the other to direct the horses’ movement while keeping the hands free for the whip
What would charioteers do in case of danger?
A driver entangled in a crash risked being trampled or dragged along the track, hence the charioteers carried a knife (the falx) to cut their reins and wore helmets and protective gear
Types of chariots
Four horse chariots - quadrigae
Two horse chariots - bigae
Charioteers - what type of people did this?
Slaves, low status freedmen, if citizens they were commoners
All paid a driver’s fee, some accumulated wealth
Highly popular, but infames (disqualified from many citizenship privileges)
Example of a charioteer
Diocles - 2nd century CE
Won 1462 out of 4257 races
Retired at 42
24 year career
Switching from White to Green to Red
Equi
Purpose-bred and trained from 5 years old
Native breeds from Hispanic and North Africa
Left-side race horse most crucial, as closest to spina
Factions
Albata - White
Russata - Red
Veneta - Blue
Prasina - Green
Factions information
Each maintained a stable, and a staff of grooms, trainers, saddlers
Charioteers sold their services to factions- those who paid highest fee
Driver’s clothing was colour coded
