ENTERTAINMENT: The Circus Maximus and Chariot Racing

Question 1

Where was the main centre of Charioteer Racing?

Answer 1

Circus Maximus

Question 2

Structure of track

Answer 2

Oval circuit with spina in the middle

Question 3

Where would the emperor of Rome sit?

Answer 3

Had his own box = pulvinar

Question 4

How would the games start?

Answer 4

Emperor of Rome would drop a cloth

Question 5

Shipwrecking

Answer 5

when charioteers cut other reins making them painfully fall to the ground.

Question 6

What did each race consist of?

Answer 6

7 laps (counted by taking down metal dolphins on the spina)
15 mins

Question 7

Capacity of Circus Maximus

Answer 7

350 000

Question 8

Entry for Circus Maximus

Answer 8

Free
Rich could pay to get seats with a better view

Question 9

4 horse chariot

Answer 9

quadrigae

Question 10

2 horse chariot

Answer 10

bigae

Question 11

Who were the charioteers?

Answer 11

Slaves
If they won enough races, they could become rich + gain freedom

Question 12

What were charioteers called?

Answer 12

Aurigae

Question 13

What did different coloured clothing for each charioteer represent

Answer 13

What faction they’re in
White, red, green, blue, gold, purple

Question 14

Who were the gold + purple factions created by?

Answer 14

Emperor Domitian

Question 15

Juvenal Satires

Answer 15

• The roar assails my eardrums

Competitive atmosphere

Question 16

Where were the best horses imported from?

Answer 16

Africa
Spain

Question 17

PSB source depiction of Circus Maximus carving

Answer 17

Shows structure

Question 18

PSB source: Charioteer, Ostia (port city of Rome)

Answer 18

Charioteer is holding a victous palm and crown
Small charioteer - emphasis on importance of charioteers

Question 19

Pliny the Younger letter to a friend , Source

Answer 19

The races are on, a spectacle which has not the slightest attraction for me.

Question 20

Letter to Calvisius

Answer 20

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