The Circus Maximus Flashcards
What were the main dangers of chariot racing?
The possibility of crashing into other chariots or the spina; cornering too close to the metae; being entangled in reins; being run over by other chariots.
How was a charioteer protected?
With a leather cap, leather padding around the waist and a knife for cutting himself free from the reins.
How many spectators could the Circus Maximus hold?
Up to 385,000
What were the different types of chariots?
Races could involve 2 (bigae), 3 (trigae), 4 (quadrigae) or even 6 or 7 horses in the Circus, although 4 was the most common.
How large was the Circus Maximus?
It was 600m long and 200m wide.
How would a race start?
At the carceres. The emperor threw a little white napkin into the arena - a lever was then pulled to open the starting gates.
What would happen before a race started?
Chariots would process once around the track with images of gods before going to the carceres.
Where did the emperor sit?
In an imperial box called the Pulvinar, located on the slopes of the Palatine.
How long was a race and how long did it last?
There were 7 laps - this was about 5 miles and took 15 minutes.
Describe the three tiers of seating?
The seating in the lower tier was marble, the second tier was wood and the third for standing only.
What were the ‘factiones’?
These were the teams sponsored by the Emperor who built stables for each team in the Campus Martinus with coaches, trainers, blacksmiths, vets and grooms.
Who could attend the chariot racing?
Men and women sat together, and slaves were allowed to watch.
What were the different colours?
In the Imperial age there were normally four: White (Albata); red (Russata); blue (Veneta); green (Prasina).
Why did people enjoy the races?
The races were a release of tension and were always a spectacular occasion; held on holidays and people enjoyed seeing their heroes. Plenty of gambling and people supported favourite teams. Crashes always brought gasps of amazement!
Who became charioteers?
The charioteers were mainly professional, drawn from the lower social classes, freedmen and slaves.
