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Circus Maximus

Circus Maximus. Robert Gottlieb. Origins. Founded by Tarquinius Priscus, 5 th king of Rome, 6 th century BCE Just a sandy track 329 BCE – permanent starting gates Reconstructions under Caesar and Augustus. The Racetrack. Circus – oval track Starting gates

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Circus Maximus

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  1. Circus Maximus Robert Gottlieb

  2. Origins • Founded by Tarquinius Priscus, 5th king of Rome, 6th century BCE • Just a sandy track • 329 BCE – permanent starting gates • Reconstructions under Caesar and Augustus

  3. The Racetrack • Circus – oval track Starting gates • Mappa – white flag Spina – spine • Metae – turning points Pulvinar - shrine • Linea alba –finish line

  4. Track Adornments • Eggs and dolphins mark the laps • 12 starting gates • Seats 150,000 • Spring loaded wooden door • 10 BCE – obelisk • AD 103 – Trajan restores after fire

  5. The Race • Pompa – ceremony before races • Priests, musicians, and dancers lead racers and statues of gods and goddesses • 7 laps, 4 miles • 24 races per day

  6. The Teams

  7. Naufragia - Shipwreck

  8. “Gaius Appuleius Diocles, charioteer of the Red Stable, a Spaniard by birth, aged 42 years 7 months 23 days. He drove chariots for 24 years, ran 4257 starts and won 1462 victories. He made 9 horses 100-time winners, and one a 200-time winner. The champion of all charioteers. He excelled the charioteers of all the stables who ever participated in the races of the circus games.”

  9. Other Uses • Gladiator fights • Wild animal fights – unsafe with more seats • Athletics • Processions

  10. A Dangerous Sport • Racers wrap reins tightly • If a racer crashes…

  11. Rivalries • Factions hated each other • Curse tablets • Attempts to poison, dope, or perform magic on hosrses. • "I adjure you, demon whoever you are, and I demand of you from this hour, from this day, from this moment, that you torture and kill the horses of the Greens and Whites and that you kill in a crash their drivers..."

  12. Corruption • Civilians would petition emperor during races • Caligula became unruly, threw people out of arena

  13. Last Race: AD 549

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