When you and I hear or see in films about entertainment in Rome, the Colosseum and gladiator fights immediately come to mind. The majestic image of a huge structure has been used more than once in the cinema. However, the most popular place was not this arena.
Imagine, if the Colosseum could hold 50 thousand people, then there was enough space for 250 thousand spectators in the stands of this building. The whole city flocked to see the spectacular chariot races. In no other place was it possible to entertain more people than here.
Let's find out what this place was in Rome …
Circus Maximus or Circus Maximus is one of the largest and most spacious hippodromes (600 x 150 m) built in Ancient Rome.
The circus was located between the hills of the Aventine and the Palatine, its field was so vast and immense that for the first time in the history of Italy 12 chariots competed in the arena at the same time.
According to historians, the initiator of its creation was Tarquinius Priscus - the king who ruled Ancient Rome in the 6th century BC. He chose for construction the valley of Murcia, now better known as the hollow between the Palatine and Aventine hills. This area is closely associated with a number of legends. One of them tells about the abduction of the Sabine women, the other is devoted to episodes from the life of Hercules.
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Initially, the circus did not include other buildings, only for the duration of the competitions held after the harvest, a stage and temporary places were established here. During the rest of the year, the circus served as a place for agricultural work.
Later, the sanctuaries of the gods were installed at the hippodrome: the altar of Kons, the sanctuary of the triads of Sey, Segetey, Tutilin, which survived even after the construction of the main buildings of the circus.
In 329, the construction of the main buildings began: the start, statues, gates, meths, an apparatus with eggs for counting, a canal was also built and the area of the circus was increased.
Times have changed, competition rules have changed. The chariots, which initially drove exclusively in a straight line, began to compete in the ring, in connection with the sewage system here. Subsequently, this seemingly "everyday" experiment has become a tradition.
After Julius Caesar came to power, the circus expanded more and more, accommodating up to half a million standing and sitting spectators. Circus Maximus was experiencing its best times, day after day becoming more comfortable: special gates were installed here for the exit of the winners, three towers, stalls, obelisks were built.
The most ancient obelisks, which were ahead of the circus by birth, were given special attention in this list. The first of them was taken out of Egypt and is now in Piazza del Popolo, the second is in the square of the Lateran Palace.
The builders did not limit themselves only to functional buildings, erecting on the territory of the circus a sculptural complex with dolphins, pools and balls dedicated to Neptune, the mythological god of the seas and streams.
After the completion of construction, the Circus Maximus in Rome occupied a huge territory. The ancient Roman nobility got the opportunity to contemplate the competition, in which more than 10 chariots took part at the same time. Initially, all structural elements of the circus were made of wood. For this reason, fires broke out here more than once. After another destruction, the Roman racetrack was restored by Julius Caesar. He approached the solution of the problem with his characteristic scope. The results of his work can be seen today.
Competitions at the hippodrome have taken place 50 times a year for many centuries. In addition to equestrian competitions, large-scale performances, battles with wild animals were organized here. The last event held at the arena of the hippodrome dates back to 549. In the following years of the Middle Ages, the stone structures of the hippodrome were partially dismantled, using this material for other needs.
Circus Maximus in Rome was the birthplace of many traditions. For example, if the chariot competition initially took place only in a straight line, then the sewer tunnel, drawn under the arena and deforming it, led to a forced change in the rectilinear "route", making it circular.
Throughout its active existence, the racetrack of Ancient Rome was constantly improving. He experienced the most significant transformations in the period close to 46 BC. In particular, the area of the arena was significantly increased - its length reached 600 meters. All the stands were made of stone and could accommodate about 300 thousand spectators.
In its prime, the Circus Maximus in Rome was an elongated structure, the central and main part of which was occupied by an arena. On one side of it, 3 towers with gates were installed for the entry of the competition participants. There were also stables for horses. On the opposite side there were other gates, intended for the solemn departure of the winners.
In the middle of the arena there was a narrow platform, which was decorated with obelisks brought from Egypt. Currently, to see them, you need to visit the People's Square and the Lateran Palace Square. In addition to obelisks, a number of sculptural compositions were placed on the platform. The structure included pools and sanctuaries of the gods.
After the cessation of the games in the Great Circus, a sad period of destruction began here. The stone structures of the circus attracted developers from all over Rome, who dismantled them for the construction of new buildings.
The seats for spectators were divided into several ranks - the nearest to the arena were intended for the nobility, and various shops were located in the outer stands. Unfortunately, the Circus Maximus in Rome, the description of which could take more than one page, turned into ruins. But even they amaze with their grandeur and grandeur.
The immediate vicinity of the hippodrome is a place of work for archaeologists, because the main part of the structure has already been covered with a thick layer of earth. Every year, new artifacts are found at the excavations, revealing the pages of the centuries-old history of the legendary structure.
The Circus Maximus Arena is still the largest in Italy and the oldest in the world. Today it is a place of pilgrimage for thousands of tourists who get a unique opportunity to touch the origins of civilization. And today, the greatest racetrack of Ancient Rome still attracts many spectators. But they do not come here to assess the capabilities of the horses, but to see the performances of world stars and take part in the most interesting mass events.
Circus Maximus is located in Rome, in the area of Calle del Circo Massimo. To get there by public transport, you can use:
by buses of the following numbers: 60, 81, 75, 160 and 175.
Tram number 3 also runs here.
But the most convenient way is to take the subway line B train to Circo Massimo station, and then walk a little, following the recommendations of the road signs.