Circus Maximus
The most well know circus was the Circus Maximus. It was a huge structure, 600 meters long by 200 meters wide (39"=1 meter) and could hold 250,000 people. The track was roughly oval in shape with a barrier down the middle called the spina, or backbone. The turning points at each end of the spina had 3 posts called metae, The 12 starting gates at the flat end of the structure were called carceres (also means prisons). It is interesting to note, that unlike horse racing in this country, these gates were permanent. The laps were indicated by seven large wooden eggs (ova) which were probably positioned on the spina.
Useful Terms
The median strip was called the spina and usually featured ornate columns, statues and commemorative obelisks. The turning points on either end of the spina were usually marked by conical poles, called the metae (singular: meta).[4]
The performance space of the Roman circus was normally, despite its name, an oblong rectangle of two linear sections of race track, separated by a median strip running along the length of about two thirds the track, joined at one end with a semicircular section and at the other end with an undivided section of track closed (in most cases) by a distinctive starting gate known as the carceres, thereby creating a circuit for the races.
The ova was a type of lap marker that used wooden eggs to indicate laps.
In Ancient Rome, the Auriga was a slave with gladiator status, whose duty was to drive a biga, the light vehicle powered by two horses,
"Panem et Circensus", literally "bread and circuses", was the formula for the well-being of the population, and thus a political strategy.
Races
Races began with the dropping of a white cloth by the president of the games who was the highest official in attendance. If no emperor or consul were present, theaedile whose role it was to provide the games, would officiate.
Each race consisted of 7 laps around the track which was 2½ miles. Turning at the metae was the most exciting and most dangerous point in the race as each chariot competed to try and be on the inside track. There were often spills. Drivers carried a dagger to be able to cut themselves free of the reins should they spill.
Today there are usually about 9 races a day at a track. In the Circus there could be as many as 24. The Emperor Domitian enjoyed quick races and sometimes shortened the number of laps to 5 so as to increase the number of races sometimes to 100 a day.
Horses ran in teams of 2, 3, 4, 6 or 7. Four was the most common combination. All were highly trained. Just as we all know of Secretariat, Romans loved the horse named Tuscus for the 386 first prizes or Victor who lived up to his name placing first 429 times. The emperor Caligula, fearing noise would upset the horses, would send troops about the area prior to the race to ensure quiet. His favorite horse, Incitatus, had a marble stall, with ivory trim, purple blankets and a jeweled collar. There were also slaves and a furnished house in which the emperor could entertain guests invited in the horse's name. Rumor had it that he intended to make the horse a consul. (Suetonius Caligula 55)
The poet Martial also referred to horses of note. In Epigrams 10-9 he wrote: I am a famous poet, but not as famous as Andrae
mon. An anonymous inscription on the wall of a public bath in No. Africa reads: "Win or lose, we love you Polydoxus!"
Charioteers (Aurigae) earned huge sums of money. Those with many victories to their credit were the stars, known by all. Some had fan clubs. Scorpus, for example, known by his golden nose, was said by Martial to twinkle everywhere because there were so many likenesses of him. While fame was sweet for the victorious, the danger was great. Accidents were often fatal. Fuscus was killed at the age of 24 after 57 victories, Crescens at 22 after winning 1½ million sesterces (approximately $25,000) and Marcus Aurelius Mollicus at 20 after 125 victories.
Writings on the Races
An inscription dedicated to a man who was probably Rome's most famous charioteer reads:
Gaius Apuleius Diocles, Charioteer of the Reads:
A Spaniard, aged 42 years, 7 months and 23 days.
He drove his first chariot with the Whites in AD 122.
He won his first victory with the same team shortly after.
His first victory with the Reds was in AD 131.
Charioteers were grouped into 4 teams known by their colors: the Reds, Whites, Blues and Greens. Each team had its own stables, trainers and backers who profited well from their investments. Suetonius tells us that emperors frequently backed one team. Caligula so loved the greens it is said that he often dined or even spent the night at their headquarters. Vitellius, a Blue fan, is said to have had executed some men who had chanted "Down with the Blues!"
Domitian added two new teams, the Purples and Golds but the tradition did not survive his reign. The Purples are referred to in the epitaph of one of Rome's most famous charioteers:
To the departed spirit of Epaphroditus,
charioteer of the Reds,
He won 178 prizes with the Reds,
He won 8 prizes with the Purples.
His wife, Beia Feicula, erected this in
his memory, willingly, for he deserved it.
We do know a lot of Epaphroditus. He drove chariots for 24 years, started in 4257 races, winning 1462. He won over 35,863,120 sesterces during this time (over one million dollars).
We can go to the races by looking at what Romans had to say. The poet Juvenal in Satires 11.197 wrote:
All Rome is today at the Circus; these shows are for young men who like to shout and swagger and make bet with their girls friends at their side. Indeed, picture yourself watching the start: a procession of chariots through the Processional Gate, beautifully groomed horses, colorfully garbed charioteers and statues of Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Neptune each riding atop a chariot. All around us are people wearing the colors of their favorite teams.
The poet Ovid writes about the crowd in Amores 3.2:
You on the right, sir - please be careful. Your elbow's hurting the lady. And you in the row behind-sit up sir. Your knees are digging into her back. But how about a breath of air while we wait? I can fan you with this program. He describes the race thusly: The Praetor is starting the first race. Four horses chariots. Look! They're off! There's your driver. Anyone you back is bound to win. Even the horses seem to know what you want. Look, he's taking the corner too wide. What are you doing dolt? The man behind is catching up. Come on! You are breaking my girl's heart. Pull on the left rein! Oh we've backed a loser! Let's go everyone-flap your togas and let's call for a fresh start. They're off-look at them come out of the stalls. How colorful it is. Now is your chance, come on! Take the lead! Please my lady here! Yea! He did it! You got what you wanted. Now what about me? Do I win too? She's smiling with a promise in her big eyes.
If you have the opportunity to rent the movie Ben Hur, you will enjoy the chariot scene. The two chief drivers are Ben Hur, a Jew, and Messala, a Roman, who are enemies. Other drivers are Lysippus of Corinth, Dicaeus of Byzantium and Admetus of Sidon. The race occurs at the Circus in Antioch, Syria. At one point Messala is in the lead with Ben Hur just behind him. As Messala moves around the turning point, Ben Hur has to cross the track and take an inside position to pass him to try to overtake him. The crowd goes wild. Messala's outside wheel is just in front of Ben Hur's nearside wheel and then a crash! A spray of cinders hit the air, The Roman chariot is toppled, back and forth, bouncing from axle to axle. Messala is pitched forward still entangled in the reins. The Sidonian, coming closely behind, couldn't stop and drives at full speed into Messala and his team. When the dust settle, the people see Messala under the abandoned chariots and Ben Hur making a dash to the finish line. (adapted from Lew Wallace, Ben Hur)
Pliny the Younger wrote with a different view of the races:
The Circus games don't interest me in the slightest! There is nothing new or different about them. If you've seen one, you've seen them all. I just can't understnd why so many people want to see horses racing and men driving chariots again and again...so childish! It wouldn't be so bad if they could judge the speed or skill in a race. All one cheers for is the color of the tunic. If tunics were changed, the crowd probably wouldn't notice that they were cheering for different teams. And it is not just the masses who do this; some sensible and important people are there also. In my opinion it is a completely useless way to spend time.