ENTERTAINMENT: The Circus Maximus and Chariot Racing Flashcards
Where was the main centre of Charioteer Racing?
Circus Maximus
Structure of track
Oval circuit with spina in the middle
Where would the emperor of Rome sit?
Had his own box = pulvinar
How would the games start?
Emperor of Rome would drop a cloth
Shipwrecking
when charioteers cut other reins making them painfully fall to the ground.
What did each race consist of?
7 laps (counted by taking down metal dolphins on the spina)
15 mins
Capacity of Circus Maximus
350 000
Entry for Circus Maximus
Free
Rich could pay to get seats with a better view
4 horse chariot
quadrigae
2 horse chariot
bigae
Who were the charioteers?
Slaves
If they won enough races, they could become rich + gain freedom
What were charioteers called?
Aurigae
What did different coloured clothing for each charioteer represent
What faction they’re in
White, red, green, blue, gold, purple
Who were the gold + purple factions created by?
Emperor Domitian
Juvenal Satires
- The roar assails my eardrums
Competitive atmosphere
Where were the best horses imported from?
Africa
Spain
PSB source depiction of Circus Maximus carving
Shows structure
PSB source: Charioteer, Ostia (port city of Rome)
Charioteer is holding a victous palm and crown
Small charioteer - emphasis on importance of charioteers
Pliny the Younger letter to a friend , Source
The races are on, a spectacle which has not the slightest attraction for me.
Letter to Calvisius
Talks about the different colours each charioteer would wear.
The performers at these games were divided into teams, distinguished by the particular colour of their clothes; the principal of which were the white, the red, the blue, and the green. Accordingly the spectators favoured one or the other colour
