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Via d. Circo Massimo
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 Imperial palace on the
Palatine in background by icunme, 3 more photos
The most notable event at the Circus was chariot racing. The track typically featured twelve chariots and the stadium could accommodate an estimated 250,000 spectators (more perhaps as an equal number could view the games by standing amidst the adjoining hills).
There is very little evidence of ancient times here, but the grass-covered racing track, the spina (a raised median that was set slightly diagonally), and a few of the starting gates remain to fuel our imagination.
At either end of the spina was a turning post, the meta, around which chariots made dangerous turns at speed. On top of the spina, there were rotatable metal dolphins that were turned down to mark laps around the course. The winner was typically the only one out of 12 chariots that completed the 6.5 km (4 mile) race - the other chariots broke, ran into walls, or crashed one way or another. There was a special crew whose only job was to remove broken chariots, detached horses, and injured or dead charioteers. One end of the track extended further back than the other, to allow the chariots to line up to begin the race. Here there were starting gates, or carceres, which staggered the chariots so that each travelled the same distance to the first turn. During these chariot races, bribery of the judge in order to fix the start of the race was very common.
The Circus still entertains the Romans and it is used for concerts, meetings and celebrations. The Rome concert of Live 8 (July 2 2005) was celebrated here, as was the Italian World Cup 2006 victory, 700,000 to 1,000,000 people packed in to celebrate (depending on which figures from various news accounts you care to quote).
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 Circo Massimo by Jim_EliasonLeave a Comment Directions: Metro Line B: Circo Massimo
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 circus maximus by doug48 |
 Circus Maximus by tompt
If you want to know more about how it looked and how this races were this is a nice site:
http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/circus.html Leave a Comment
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 Circus Maximus by martin_nlLeave a Comment Directions: Next to the Palatine. Take the metro to Circo Massimio
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 by bugalugs
Only a few ruins remain of what once was a chariot racetrack (I certainly didnt see Charlton Heston racing his chariot around - lol) which stood about 600m long and 90m wide. It was decorated with statues and columns, had wooden stands and could accommodate 200,000 spectators.
The great excitement for the crowds was when the chariots had to negotiate the sharp turns at each end.
In 46 BC Julius Caesar had battles recreated here using prisoners.
Augustus erected an obelisk of Tamses ll in 10 BC, which now stands in the Piazza del Popolo.
A fire in 64 AD that destroyed much of the city of Rome is thought to have started in the circus's wooden stands.
The circus was rebuilt by Trajan in 100 AD and could hold 250,000 spectators.
Another obelisk was erected by Constantine, that now standards in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterno.
The circus remained in use until 549 AD.
Excavations are currently being carried out at the eastern end. Leave a Comment
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We caught the metro train at Barberini station (red line), changed train at Termini to the Blue line and 3 stations later we were at station Circo Massino, a few minutes walk from the Circus Maximus. There are only a few ruins left on the circuit, however you can see the track and walk it if you are fit. Overlooking the circus on the right hand side are ruins of villas owned by the Roman wealthy who had a great view. We were lucky to meet an English gentleman who was an expert on Roman times, he explained that there were huge stands alongside the circuit to hold over 200,000 spectators. Well worth a look as it does not take much time to get there.We then continued walking to Campo de Fiore. Leave a Comment Directions: Very near Metro Rail Station Circo Massimo. You can easily walk there from the Coliseum, walk along Via di San Gregorio VII
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On my first visit to Rome I enjoyed sitting up on a bench and watching the activity below. People walking dogs, a chariot racing round the oval track, soldiers doing drill , and children playing. It seemed so nice that the place was still giving pleasure to the inhabitants, though on a less public manner.
And it is easy to imagine the face of the palatine filled with people cheering on the competitors racing their chariots. Leave a Comment Directions: down the road from the Colliseum, near the river
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This was the first circus used for chariot races. Lying in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills it is said to have been built by king Tarquinius Priscus.
The track was originally bordered by banks of wooden seats. According to what I have read about the Circus, in 10 B.C. Augustus brought from Heliopolis the obelisk of Rameses II (which today is found in the Piazza del Popolo) to occupy the centre of the circus. Later the obelisk of Thutmosis III was added (by wish of Pope Sixtus V, and it stands today in the Piazza S. Giovanni in Laterano).
The circus was enlarged by Ceasar and Augustus added to it the pulvinar (royal enclosure or sacred area). Today there is very little preserved. Leave a Comment
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 Circus Maximus by mrclay2000Leave a Comment Directions: southeast Rome below the Forum
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