Circus Maximus + Chariot Racing Flashcards
1
Q
Structure
A
- 621m length, 118m width
- Over 150,000 spectators, largest venue for ludi Romani
- Beneath outer stands -> workshops + shops
- Gradual transformation from open agricultural area -> venue for various games
- Julius Caesar extended seating tiers around entire circuit of track
- Inner 1/3 seating area = senators + equites, rest 2/3 = plebians + non-citizens
2
Q
Panem et circenses, what was the box for?
A
- Sponsor/editor of races shared viewing box + couches with images of gods
- Imperial area: box took name (pulvinar) from these couches
- Pulvinar in Circus Maximus was directly connected to Imperial Palace, on the Palatine Hill
3
Q
How did chariot racing begin
A
With pompa circensis
4
Q
How many races?
A
Up to 24 a day
5
Q
How were the races?
A
- 7 laps of 550 track per race
- Started by magistrate, throwing white cloth from raised platform
6
Q
What was the spina?
A
- Charioteers fighting for a place on inside track, near central partition, the spina (decorated with temples, statues, obelisks)
- At each end of spina = meta, turning point of three large columns
- At end of each lap, one lap-marker (shape of egg) taken down from spina
7
Q
How did charioteers drive?
A
- Roman drivers wrapped reins around their waist + steered using body weight
- Reins looped around torso, they could lean from one side to the other = direct horses’ movement + keeping hands free to whip
- Driver entangled in crash risked being trampled/ dragged along track = charioteers carried knife (falx) to cut reins + wore helmets + protective gear
8
Q
What are four-horse chariots called?
A
Quadrigae
9
Q
What are two-horse chariots called?
A
Bigae
10
Q
Who were charioteers?
A
Slaves, low-status freedmen, citizen-commoners
11
Q
More facts on charioteers
A
1) All paid driver’s fee, some accumulated wealth
2) Highly popular, but infames (disqualified from many citizenship privileges)
12
Q
Horses
A
- Purpose bred + trained from 5 years old
- Native breeds, Hispania + North Africa
- Left side trace horse most crucial, closest to spina
13
Q
What factions were there?
A
Whites (albatas), reds (russata), greens (veneta), blues (prasina)
14
Q
What were factions?
A
- Social organisations raising money to sponsor races
- Domini factionum of equestrian class
- Each maintained stable + staff of grooms, trainers, saddlers
- Charioteers sold services to the faction which paid highest fee
- Driver’s clothing = color coded
