Chariot racing started from one of metae and ended at the opposite end of the arena in seven laps. To count the number of laps, there were two stands on the platform with seven wooden eggs placed on each. 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 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 horsemen — became the foundation. Two upper tiers remained wooden, arcades with shops and taverns appeared outside. After this one, the era of destruction began. Romans took stones from ancient structures for the construction of new buildings; the remains were covered with soil.
In the 19 th 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. The size of remaining ruins — parts of the track, marble standing cells and stone stands — impresses our contemporaries. A recreation area, very important for the city, is situated here. Thus, on June 22 nd , the only concert of the legendary music band Rolling Stones in Italy during the world tour, which brought together 65, rock fans, was held here.
Ancient Roman 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 the reign of Romulus, the whole Rome was located on the Palatine and was so strong that could subjugate all around. Wild beast hunts were arranged for the public and the military leader, Pompey, even ordered a contest between barbarian gladiators and 20 elephants! The most famous events held in the Circus Maximus were the chariot races.
The chariots would have been colour-coded and pulled by anything from 4 to 12 horses. Victorious racers won large cash prizes and enjoyed enormous fame. One of the most famous charioteers was Scorpus, with over 2, victories. The Circus Maximus was colossal in size, featuring stone walls that surrounded a racing track that was over metres long. The track itself would have been covered in sand with starting gates at one end ready to release their competitors into the stadium.
Down the centre of the track was a low wall around which the chariots and their horses would charge. In the middle of the seating, along one side of the track, was the pulvinar.
This pillared temple was a viewing platform for the ruler or Emperor. Here, they could watch the games while sitting amongst the gods, with all the spectators able to see them as well as the entertainment. Over the years, several Roman rulers and Emperors developed the stadium. The first Etruscan king created seating for the rich and famous and his grandson built more seating for the commoners.
It was Julius Caesar who oversaw the biggest expansion of seating, ordering that it extend around the whole of the track. A fire later destroyed much of this seating, but it was rebuilt over the years. An arcade that contained shops and workshops surrounded the circus and these served the thousands of spectators that visited the stadium. Many of the fires that swept throughout the Circus may have begun in these arcades.
Though the Colosseum is better known, it is by far the smaller venue. It was used by the Roman people to celebrate grand scale religious processions. There was a popular circus show held in Rome at the end of third century. It was proposed by Emperor Probus. The show featured a built state filled with veritable forest of trees. The popularity of Ludi was decreased after the Roman state selected Christianity as the official religion. The best hunt game was last held in Circus Maximus in Ludi lasted for one day or even several days depending on the activities of the game.
The people conducted it in more than one day if they held the public feast, religious ceremonies, plays, athletics, chariot racing, gladiators contest, beast hunt or even recitals. Check facts about Camp Nou here. The dividing barrier or spina at the Circus Maximus featured the Obelisco Flaminio. Now it is located in Piazza del Popolo. The location of this site is at the level ground of Vallis Murcia or Valley of Murcia. The valley was fertile. The people used it as the agricultural land during the early days of the Rome.
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