Chariot Racing & The Circus Maximus

Question 1

Who were the Aurigae?

Answer 1

The charioteers

Question 2

What was the Cricus Maximus?

Answer 2

The ‘Great Circle’ where chariot racing took place

Question 3

What is the capacity of the Circus Maximus?

Answer 3

250,000 plus

Question 4

What is the pulvina?

Answer 4

An imperial box (which also contained a shrine to the Gods) where the Emperor sat and watched.

Question 5

What were the 12 starting gates called?

Answer 5

Carceres

Question 6

What are the gates called?

Answer 6

Ostia

Question 7

What is the length of the Circus Maximus?

Answer 7

600m

Question 8

What is the width of the Circus Maximus?

Answer 8

200m

Question 9

What were things available outside the Circus Maximus

Answer 9

Shops, taverns, cooks, astrologers and prostitutes

Question 10

How long was an average race?

Answer 10

15 minutes

Question 11

How many km was each race?

Answer 11

6.5 km or 4 miles

Question 12

What were some reasons to watch chariot racing?

Answer 12

Letting off steam
Voice political opinions- in a crowd so wouldn’t get in trouble
Meet friends, love interest, prostitutes
Be near Emperors and celebrities/VIPS (note: charioteers where also considered celebrities)
Have fun - gamble, place bets ect
Watch race - support your team

Question 13

What were some things were criticised about it?

Answer 13

People would leave naked
There were extreme injuries and people would faint
Leaping and raving
Bad language

Question 14

What were the 4 chariot racing teams called?

Answer 14

Russata
Albata
Veneta
Prasina

Question 15

What colour was the Russata team?

Answer 15

Red

Question 16

What colour was the Albata team?

Answer 16

White

Question 17

What colour was the Veneta team?

Answer 17

Blue

Question 18

What colour was the Prasina team?

Answer 18

Green

Question 19

What was the most the prize money could be for a fight?

Answer 19

Prize money could be as much as 60,000 sesterces

Question 20

What class and rights did the charioteers hold?

Answer 20

They were mostly drawn from low-class, freed-men and slaves. The successful ones were idolised by the public but they held infamis statue and couldn’t hold public office

Question 21

Where did the chariot teams get funding, equipment and training?

Answer 21

Chariot racing was funded by the emperor, this money was used to buy horses, training and medical expertise. The emperor also built stables for each team with many coaches, trainers, blacksmiths, vets and grooms