--- title: Circus Maximus author: Mark Cartwright source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Circus_Maximus/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Circus Maximus _Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_ The [Circus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Circus/) Maximus was a [chariot](https://www.worldhistory.org/chariot/) racetrack in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) constructed in the 6th century BCE. Used for other events such as the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) Games and [gladiator](https://www.worldhistory.org/gladiator/) fights, it last hosted chariot races in the 6th century. Partially excavated in the 20th century and then remodelled, today it continues as an important public space, hosting [music](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Music/) concerts and rallies. ### Early Uses The Circus Maximus, located in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills, is the oldest and largest public space in Rome and legend says that the Circus was originally laid out in the 6th century BCE by the first Roman kings, although, it first took on its distinctive shape under [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/). Its principal function was as a chariot racetrack and host of the Roman Games (*Ludi [Romani](https://www.worldhistory.org/Romani/)*) which honoured [Jupiter](https://www.worldhistory.org/jupiter/). These were the oldest games in the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) and were held every September with 15 days of chariot races and military processions. In addition, Rome had many other games and up to 20 of these had one day or more at the Circus Maximus. Other events hosted at the site included wild animal hunts, public executions and gladiator fights, some of which were exotically spectacular in the extreme, such as when [Pompey](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompey/) organised a contest between a group of barbarian gladiators and 20 elephants. ### Dimensions At its largest during the 1st century CE following its rebuilding after the fire of 64 CE, the Circus had a capacity for 250,000 spectators seated on banks 30 m wide and 28 m high. Seats were in concrete and stone in the lower two tiers and wood for the rest. The seats at the closed curved end date from the early 1st century CE. The outside of the circus presented an impressive front of arcades in which shops would have served the needs of the spectators. The Roman architectural historian [Vitruvius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vitruvius/) also describes a [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of [Ceres](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ceres/) in the Circus and that it was decorated with terracotta statues or gilt [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) (*On [Architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/)* 3.3.5). The Circus Maximus had the following main features: - **The track**, originally covered in sand and measuring 540 x 80 m. - **12 starting gates** (*carceres*) for chariots arranged in an arc at the open end of the track. - **A decorated barrier** (*spina* or *euripus*) complete with obelisks running down the centre of the track. - **Conical turning posts** (*metae*) placed at each end of the track. - **Lap markers** (eggs and dolphins) which were turned to [mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Mark/) the completion of each of the seven circuits of a typical race. [ ![Illustration of Circus Maximus, Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/13632.jpg?v=1755154985) Illustration of Circus Maximus, Rome Ancient History Magazine / Karwansaray Publishers (Copyright) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/13632/illustration-of-circus-maximus-rome/ "Illustration of Circus Maximus, Rome")### Chariot Races The chariots themselves were colour-coded (red, white, green and blue) and could be pulled by teams of 4, 6, 8 or 12 horses. Victorious charioteers not only became rich with large cash prizes but they also became the darlings of the crowd, particularly with those who had placed bets, which were sometimes huge. Famous winners were Pontius Epaphroditus, Pompeius Musclosus and Diocles but perhaps the most famous of all, with more than 2,000 race victories, was Scorpus. Horses too became famous and much followed by the knowledgeable crowd. Famed throughout the Roman world, the races at the Circus Maximus were, then, the ones to win as it was by far the most important of the many circuses which dotted the [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) and its status is testified by its many representations in mosaics, relief sculptures and even coins. The last official chariot race at the Circus Maximus was in 549 CE and was held by [Totila](https://www.worldhistory.org/Totila/), the [Ostrogoth](https://www.worldhistory.org/ostrogoth/) king. The site was then largely abandoned, although, the Frangipani did fortify the site in 1144 CE. The first excavations were carried out under Pope Sixtus V in 1587 CE and the two obelisks which had originally stood as part of the *spina* were recovered. One dates to c. 1280 BCE and was taken by [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/) from Heliopolis in [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) in 10 BCE. This once stood at the east end of the *spina* but was relocated to Piazza del Popolo. The second obelisk which had stood in the centre of the *spina* dates to Thutmosis II (1504-1450 BCE) and was originally made for the temple of Amon at [Karnak](https://www.worldhistory.org/Karnak/). [Constantine I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Constantine_I/) intended it for [Constantinople](https://www.worldhistory.org/Constantinople/) but after remaining at the docks of [Alexandria](https://www.worldhistory.org/alexandria/) for 25 years, [Constantius II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Constantius_II/) brought it to Rome in 357 CE. It now stands in the Piazza S.Giovanni in Laterano (Rome). [ ![Circus Maximus [Present Day]](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/1276.jpg?v=1718938028) Circus Maximus \[Present Day\] Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/1276/circus-maximus-present-day/ "Circus Maximus [Present Day]")### Later Uses The site was used for industry and even a gasworks in the 19th century CE but in the 1930s CE the area was cleared and converted into a park made to resemble the original form of the Circus. Also in 1930, the site was again excavated, a process which continued between 1978 and 1988 CE. Original seats were revealed, as were the starting gates and the *spina*. However, the latter two were re-covered and now lie some 9 m under the present ground level. The curved seat end continues to be excavated today whilst the main part of the circus is still used for large public events such as concerts and rallies. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Claridge, A. *Rome.* Oxford University Press, USA, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199546835/) - [Hornblower, S. *The Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, USA, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199545561/) - [Wheeler, M. *Roman Art and Architecture.* Thames & Hudson, 1985.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500200211/) ## About the Author Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. ## Timeline - **599 BCE - 500 BCE**: The traditional date when the [Circus Maximus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Circus_Maximus/) of [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) is first laid out. - **64 CE**: Fire destroys the [Circus Maximus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Circus_Maximus/) in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/). - **c. 65 CE**: The [Circus Maximus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Circus_Maximus/) in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) is rebuilt and its capacity increased to 250,000. - **549 CE**: The last official [chariot](https://www.worldhistory.org/chariot/) race is held in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/)'s [Circus Maximus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Circus_Maximus/). ## External Links - [Rome Reborn](http://romereborn.frischerconsulting.com/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Cartwright, M. (2018, May 16). Circus Maximus. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Circus\_Maximus/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Circus_Maximus/) ### Chicago Cartwright, Mark. "Circus Maximus." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 16, 2018. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Circus\_Maximus/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Circus_Maximus/). ### MLA Cartwright, Mark. "Circus Maximus." *World History Encyclopedia*, 16 May 2018, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Circus\_Maximus/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Circus_Maximus/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 16 May 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). 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