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The Circus Maximus (in Italian Circo Massimo) is the giant racetrack of ancient Rome, situated on the left bank of the Tiber River, between the Palatine and Aventine hills, near the center of the modern city.
Check Your Knowledge Before Visit the Circus Maximus
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What was the Circus Maximus in ancient Rome?
How was Circus Maximus built?
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How was Circus Maximus destroyed?
What was the Circus Maximus made out of?
What is Circus Maximus used for today?
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How was the Circus Maximus different from the Colosseum?
How much would it cost today to build a stadium similar to Circo Massimo?
The Name
The name Circo Massimo comes from the Latin Circus Maximus. One of the meanings of the word “circus” is a hippodrome, a place for horse contests. For centuries, horse racing has been taking place in the valley between the hills. However, the initial function of the racetrack was to host the Roman Games (Ludi Romani), which were part of a more critical festival honoring Jupiter.
The first events were held in Rome in 500 BC, during the rule of Lucius Tarquinius Priscus. Quadrigas – chariots drawn by four horses abreast – competed in a straight-line race. Having reached the end of the valley, they turned around and were galloping at full speed back, trying to cross the finish line first.
The rules were changed in the 2nd century BC due to the construction of a watercourse in Rome in about 146 BC. To build it, they dug a tunnel 4,5 meters high and 2,5 meters wide (14 ft 9 in x 8 ft 2 in ) on the level ground of the valley. Along the whole hippodrome, one hill was left untouched so that quadrigas could race in circles. This fact thoroughly explains the second meaning of the Latin word “circus” – a circle, and then an Italian word “Circo” – “circus” – appeared. The Circus really was “Massimo” – large, having the size of the entire valley, 600 meters long and 150 meters wide (2000 ft x 500 ft).
Description
Descriptions of the Circus vary depending on the period of its development. At first, people who wanted to watch the horse racing set directly on the slopes of the hill. Then, the first buildings appeared with time: benches for the most respected and wealthy citizens, a wooden launch, and stalls for horses.
In its heyday, when the first Roman emperors ruled, the Circus was one of the most impressive constructions in Rome. In the 1st century BC, Gaius Julius Caesar rebuilt it, having expanded and extended the arena and having dug the channel around it.
Now, due to the new dimensions (621 m (2,037 ft) length and 118 m (387 ft) width!), it could hold 12 quadrigas at the same time.
They erected a fence around the stadium, built wooden stands for the patricians, and seating tiers for plebeians. The Circus could accommodate 150,000 spectators, and during the next centuries, the number more than doubled. At least, as many fans were supporting their favorites standing upright.
There were three towers at the one end of the arena: the central one had the gateway for entry, and the other two were completed with stalls for horses (standing cells) in a semicircle. Winners were leaving the Circus through the gate on the opposite side.
Along with the arena, there was a narrow platform decorated with two ancient Egyptian obelisks in the middle. Both obelisks survived and can be found at Piazza del Popolo (a large urban square in Rome known as “People’s Square”) and at Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano in front of the Lateran Palace.
The platform was completed with conical stone pillars – metal on both sides. Chariot racing started from one metal and ended at the opposite end of the arena in seven laps. There were two stands on the platform with seven wooden eggs placed on each to count the number of laps. After some time, a number of small fountains in the form of bronze dolphins – sea horses of a patron of horse-racing Neptunus – were added.
The Decay
After Caesar’s reign, the Circus Maximus attracted the inhabitants of ancient Rome for about 500 years. However, the end of its glory seemed to be far away. Many emperors who ruled in Rome contributed to the decoration of the Circus. Thus, after a fire in Rome in 31 BC, Emperor Augustus restored the Circus and gave it its final shape. Stone, stage-shaped stands for privileged spectators – senators and horseback riders – became the foundation. Two upper tiers remained wooden, and arcades with shops and taverns appeared outside. Decorating continued after Augustus: Emperor Claudius made standing cells marble and metal–gold. Finally, under Emperor Nero’s order, the channel was filled up to expand the arena.
The last race in the Circus Maximus was held in 549 AD, during the reign of Emperor Totila. After this one, the era of destruction began.
Romans took stones from ancient structures to construct new buildings; the remains were covered with soil. In the 19th century, archaeologists, before the construction of the gas plant here, found lower tiers of the Circus at a depth of 6 meters (19 ft 8 in).
Today, you can find a vast oval meadow in the Circus Maximus in Rome. The size of the remaining ruins – parts of the track, marble standing cells, and stone stands – impresses our contemporaries. A recreation area, significant for the city, is situated here. It is often used for mass festivities, military hardware parades, concerts, and Rome’s birthday celebrations.
Thus, on June 22nd, 2014, the only concert of the legendary music band Rolling Stones in Italy during the world tour, which brought together 65,000 rock fans, was held here.
The Legend of the Sabine Women
Ancient Romans believed that the events of the legend of the Sabine women, which has become one of the favorite subjects of the world culture, took place here, in the valley of the Circus Maximus.
During Romulus’s reign, Rome was located on the Palatine and was so strong that it could subjugate all around. Unfortunately, there were no women in the city, only soldiers who couldn’t find families. The Romans negotiated unsuccessfully with neighbors, so the cunning Romulus invited them to celebrate a festival of Neptune Equester in a large valley at the foot of the Palatine.
Sabines also came with their wives and children. But unfortunately, during the celebration, Romans grabbed the Sabine women. Their husbands and brothers could not stand the insult and soon laid siege to Rome, but the same women, who were the bone of contention, were able to reconcile the men. Thus, the unification of disparate fortified settlements on the seven hills into an ancient and eternal city began.
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