What happened in the Circus Maximus?

Let's examine chariot races, the main activity in the Circus Maximus, Rome's largest entertainment venue. We'll marvel at the circus with our own reconstruction and details from the famous Foligno marble relief. The track, carceres, spina, charioteer, and other, lesser known details of the races are revealed!
0:00 Introduction
0:40 A brief history of the Circus Maximus, from Romulus to Trajan
3:48 A day at the races: the start of the race and the mappa
4:17 the Carceres - Starting gates
6:13 The Auriga - charioteer
7:19 The Factions
7:45 Other attendants on the track
8:25 The euripus or spina
9:39 Metae
10:28 Lap counters (2)
11:25 Finish line
11:51 Famous charioteers: Diocles and Scorpus
The animation was created for the American Institute for Roman Culture by animator Andrea Troiani!
To learn more about the neighborhood of the charioteers and horse stalls, check out the video • Explore an Underground...
Subscribe, comment and like!
Join our newsletter ancientromelive.org to receive a link to our monthly, free live lecture, and updates on our latest videos, articles, live seminara, online courses and more!
This content is brought to you by The American Institute for Roman Culture (AIRC), a 501(C)3 US Non-Profit Organization. romanculture.org. Please support our mission to aid learning and understanding of ancient Rome through free-to-access content by donating today via the following link:
DONATE
www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
Follow us on:
Instagram: / ancientromelive
Twitter: / ancientromelive
Facebook: / ancientromelive

[@dougmartin7129]

Years ago while visiting Rome I road my rented bicycle a few laps around the circus . It felt fantastic.

[@jirlam1]

Me too, although on electric scooters, was ace.

[@slemire58]

HAHA I did it on an electric bike!!!

[@JoeOvercoat]

Glorious!

[@ericsonhazeltine5064]

Cool! I just walked around it

[@fredpagniello3267]

While visiting Romebin July 1991 I ran a lap in the Circus (people used it as a running track). So I finished 2000 years late, but as they say potius sero quam numquam 'better late than never.-

[@peterreston6478]

A much needed presentation. The puny Colosseum gets all the hype. The Circus Max should get all the glory.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thank you!

[@spankflaps1365]

Roman NASCAR

[@AncientRomeLive]

Yessss! That’s what we always say!

[@Z__K217]

And I thought I were so clever. Agreed, yet bloodier given the number of races and exposure. Some Netflix of the past . . . ?

[@Insectoid_]

I’d never name something so elegant after a hillbilly sport 🤭

[@jirlam1]

I raced around the Circus Maximus last month on electric scooters, was ace.

[@goku101ssgss9]

Man this was a fire song on the album thank you Travis Scott

[@sarahschneider5396]

I'm so glad I found this channel.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thank you! We really suggest our recent videos on the Colosseum, aqueducts, bridges, Pompeii, and the Via Appia series!

[@29outlaw]

When I was a kid, I would sometimes see 6-7 Italians squeezed into a Fiat 500, so I'm pretty certain they could squeeze 300,000 into the Circus Maximus.

[@Mr.Death101]

I'm from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania in America and I've even seen that over in your country it's like a clown car here in America. I know people were smaller back then but they might have all been more muscular as well so........

[@toma110363]

Awesome! Thank you once more for another piece of Italy. Love the country. Was there in 1999

[@AncientRomeLive]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@smokeylake3150]

Just came back from Italy after 4 years. Great times

[@robertozeladarodriguez5321]

How beautiful, but also how incredible a reconstruction is, maintaining the differences with the ruins that remain and a plaque that says that it is a representation of the Circus.

[@jacobrocks7]

I was there and was impressed by its scale…chariots were ancient form of nascar racing

[@AncientRomeLive]

Yes!!!

[@johnboy4025]

It was the Daytona of Ancient Rome

[@TheSpaceKidette]

Loved the detail in this presentation. Especially the symbolism. I am sure that when I finally get to see these things with my own eyes it will be with a greater appreciation for what I am viewing. Thanks again, Darius!

[@michaellubina]

Thank you for your research and presentation of your hard work! Keep it up!

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thanks a lot! Yes we are finding our stride! Please see the past videos +245!

[@Insectoid_]

Look at that beautiful blue sky. Imagine being able to see 150,000 people cheering this on… if I could go back in time…. I can continue to dream.

[@anna-lisagirling7424]

I loved this video! The art work, the ancient mosaics and carvings were wonderful and I really enjoyed the architectural drawings and the paintings of the Circus in its heyday. I kept hearing the roars of the spectators as you described the egg and dolphin counters being tipped with each lap and the thunder of the hooves was also thrilling! Thank you so much for this one.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for sharing your experience. You made our day! That marble relief from Foligno is a critical document!

[@inLegacy]

so exciting to see ancient people you know... having fun, hot dogs, toyota giveaways etc..

[@verygoodvibes]

this video is very good glimpse back. time changes and erases so many things, that are now hidden from most or lost to antiquity forever.

[@Marco-zt6fz]

Thanks for the great explaination

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thanks - and there’s still a lot more to say about the track. So stayed tuned for more insights on this incredible venue!

[@richierich7609]

Brilliant video Darius!

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thanks from all of us! A group effort!

[@21312732678423]

Great video! Informative and interesting. Very good work! I really enjoy seeing today's Roman structures vs. them in the past, when they were beautiful and imposing at the same time.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@karenthompson9906]

Best ever description of the circus Maximus,

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thank you. And we still have a lot more to cover!

[@Bart9349]

What a well-done and informative video. We are so lucky to have your work. Like many of your previous videos, I will share this one at our website. Thank you.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Much appreciated!

[@michaelbelisle8930]

I just watched this yesterday . I like the way you tell the history and explain it to. Learn the factions colors were for 4 seasons of the year. Great work keep it up.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jceepf]

One small mistake: the Septizodium would not be there at the time of Trajan.

[@peterbarrett5496]

150k is sooo Epic, it defines the word, that's like everybody in Rome Sheesh

[@watermunteconomie3938]

Always a treat watching your video's!

[@AncientRomeLive]

Glad you like them!

[@WalkingToursVlog]

Very interesting video! I looked with pleasure! Thanks for sharing!

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@staroceans8677]

Brilliant love your content. Thank you so much for the videos ❤

[@AncientRomeLive]

Glad you like them!

[@michaelschwaiger8071]

That’s a great episode!

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thank you.

[@antonioperez2623]

Fantastic video. Thanks.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Glad you liked it!

[@paoloviti6156]

Very interesting, what a shame very little is left. The Circus Maximus was built to accommodate around 150.000 people sitting and was the first and largest stadium in Roman Empire. In truth it was one of the bloodiest games with many charioteer has died...

[@Mumbo_Jumbo_Kiwi.1]

150-300k+ capacity. Their hasn't been anything like it since

[@paoloviti6156]

@@Mumbo_Jumbo_Kiwi.1 mind you that it is estimated but you are correct because the Circuse Maximinus in Costantinopolis was possibly holding less than the half compared to that in Rome...

[@smokeylake3150]

Now the big circus is Washington DC

[@gaius_enceladus]

What a pity that it's not as well-preserved as the Coliseum! It's also a pity that the lighthouse of Alexandria is no longer around (destroyed by earthquakes) - what a sight *that* would be!

[@AncientRomeLive]

We agree!

[@LondonPower]

The minarets in the mosques is the continuation of the pharos of Alexandria if you see their shape resemble the lighthouse of Alexandria Minaret in Arabic means fire 😂

[@lisashears1399]

Was there in 2019 for my 44th birthday and God willing we will be back ASAP.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Always a crowd pleaser! Good luck with your return visit!

[@smokeylake3150]

Thank you this history lesson.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Our pleasure!

[@triplex706]

Thank You a lot!

[@AncientRomeLive]

You're welcome!

[@brianedwards7142]

Chicus, Harpus, Grouchus and Zeppus get up to wacky hijinks at the racetrack before Zeppus sings an ode with the rest of the cast as Greek chorus. Four thumbs up. 👍👍👍👍

[@annanardo2358]

Would have preferred Chicus,Grouchus,Harpus & Zeppus to a bloody horse race w/ a pile of dead bodies & horses w/ broken bones. Such cruelty to animals is a thumbs down. Whereas, the 3 I mean 4 Stooges would have been my preferred choice of entertainment !!

[@andyroo9381]

Today, just watching a normal horse race (Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, etc.) is attention grabbing. I can't imagine watching a chariot race, with 4 horses and multiple competitors, and being drawn into the excitement of the time. With the Emperor of Rome there and other wealthy Senators and citizens. The Romans created so much, for us, that is still left.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Yes- incredible !!!

[@AncientRomeLive]

Yes it would have been awesome!

[@RP-mm9ie]

Thanks

[@marthaarya167]

Great!

[@davidhart8621]

Sad that so little remains of it.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Yea but the eastern end - now an archaeological site- is a must for those wanting to explore what IS excavated - you can ascend to the upper level and climb up the medieval tower!

[@ashharris7293]

The majority of what is left of the substructures remain mostly unexcavated. The current ground level is several meters above the ancient track level, even the eastern end is not excavated to the the track level. There are water table issues here that would have to be addressed by a massive works project to enable a large scale excavation if there was a desire to open air more of the structure.

[@AncientRomeLive]

@@ashharris7293 Yes, the sovrintendenza comunale conducted in the recent past some core sampling arriving almost at the arena level. The intention remains to excavate a portion within the fencing of the archaeological site. It would be a very costly project. Let's see if they ever get the funding. We are sure they will, but it's a question of when.

[@glenchapman3899]

I have a question. In the architectural drawing of the circus you showed. The Spina seemed to be slightly off set at an angle. Was that my bad eyes, or was it really built like that. If so does anyone knows why.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Yes, indeed. As we mentioned, the starting blocks were intentionally staggered so that all teams traveled the same distance to the actual starting line (red line on the video).

[@alessandrodelmonte5765]

Eterne magnificenze dell arte e della gloria di Roma.

[@YE._._.]

Shi Travis had some fun

[@JoeOvercoat]

10:04 oh yes a cross is exactly what was missing

[@zou6492]

Very interesting 👍 Greetings from Belgium 😉🇧🇪🖐️🏛️

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bill9989]

Wonderful, informative video. Thank you. I'm traveling to Rome in mid May of this year. I have many "must do's" including walking a lap of the Circus Maximus. Is there an admission fee (well worth a fee) and do I need to reserve an admission? P.S. you helped me with another "must do," the Appian Way.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thanks a lot. We are pleased we can help you with your visit to Rome. The Circus Maximus is free to all- yes take a lap! The small archaeological park is on the eastern end- for an admission fee. No reservation required. Enjoy the Appian Way walk or bike ride near Rome. It's a must experience. Say hi- at least virtually- by live chats on IG, Twitter, and so on. @dariusarya is always out and about in Rome as well.

[@RobertPaterson]

There is no fee for walking in the CM site

[@bill9989]

@@RobertPaterson Thanks, Robert.

[@bill9989]

@@AncientRomeLive Thanks, and will do.

[@michaelbelisle8930]

This just became my go to channel for the history of ancient Rome. Plan to do a second comment on this video . Can't right now my tablet battery is running low.⁹

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thank you for watching!

[@TrailerParkPimpin65]

UTOPIA opin the gates!!!!

[@Louis-ef4eb]

1st Saturday in May! Louisville Kentucky!

[@marcusaurelius5576]

So incredibly masculine grueling and dangerous. My ancestral Roman lineage from that part of Italy just ignites when visiting as I did recently and while enjoying these descriptions.

[@DonariaRegia]

Which of these best describes an ancient Roman festival: a ho-down, a hootenanny, or a wingding?

[@AudieHolland]

Are you sure the Carceres numbered 6 each, beside the triumphal gate? On you GCI, I can see 12 Carceres but no triumphal gate. On the other blue prints (I guess) there are only 5 Carceres, on each side of the triumphal gate.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Yes, that's tricky. We showed some old plans alongside the more recent studies.

[@mariaantonellabizzarri3812]

👏👏👏👏

[@SJam491]

Too bad so little of the Circus Maximus is left.

[@elisabethcrisci7121]

Absolutely fantastic series, but if you could upgrade the audio -- maybe a new microphone?

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thank you... hmm, will check

[@DrivingDallas214]

The Colosseum has entered the chat**

[@simon-oy6um]

I'm thinking NASCAR with chariots

[@WasFakestCenturyAesthetics]

i can't believe it was real

[@oobrocks]

Another utube channel says the Circus Max held “250,000;” an obvious exaggeration

[@LondonPower]

Circus Maximus it was the Roman answer to Direct democracy and the public assemblies of the people in the ancient Greek world It was the beginning of the dark of the middle ages

[@AncientRomeLive]

A phenomenal venue for the public to address the emperor.

[@harrylime8077]

Isn't that where Charleton Heston kicked Stephen Boyds Gluteus Maximus???!!!

[@69waveydavey]

Passed it on the tourist bus, didn't get back to it, hopefully next time. Another interesting one.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Next time! It's great to walk the length of it, to get a sense of the size!

[@billparker244]

It surprises me that classicists and historians don't pronounce classic Latin words properly. I would think they'd be excited to do so. I'm just an amateur and even I go nuts for those hard C's lol

[@bobschueler4342]

You missed one other event that happened here - the persecution and annihilation of early followers of Jesus Christ. Nero hated them because they worshipped a God other than him. His persecution of Christians in A.D. 64-67 was very severe in and around Rome.

[@ladyhonor822]

THEY WERE NOT DRIVING TOYOTA ❤ PHILADELPHIA USA 🇺🇲

[@timkbirchico8542]

voice tones are a bit too sharp. for more views round off the edges of the voice tone. try talking from the chest a bit more and less talking through the nose. thanks for the vid.

[@richardfirsten2364]

I wish you would use the classical pronunciation of the Romans, Darius, not so-called Church Latin pronunciation. For example, 'carceres' should be pronounced 'KAR-keh-res', not 'KAR-cheh-res'.

[@AncientRomeLive]

"Should be pronounced" actually depends on where you are in the world... in @dariusarya's case- he WAS trained in the US- but sometimes slips into the Italian "Latin" pronunciation at times, after so many years in Italy. But we do know where you are coming from!

[@rayyanez3527]

Picky !😅😅. Are We !!!!!??

[@annanardo2358]

Uncalled for fanaticism back in those days. Such carnage for an irrelevant so called spectacle. I mean, who wants to see a pile of dead horsemen ? I wouldn't . And the cruelty caused to those horses is just shameful. I wouldn't find chariot racing appealing in any way. Those people were crazy in those days, and I feel mostly for the animals that were made to suffer all for what ???? Some stupid childish games ?? Childish, never giving a thought to maturity. They needed to act their age and behave responsibly instead of killing themselves and those poor horses, that were terrified out of their wits, being forced to run ever faster and whipped in the process. Thumbs down to those so called "games". There was no fun about it.😖😖😖😒🙄🙄🙄 I would have found those games absolutely boring. Low class rednecks.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Such sporting events also tied to glorifying the gods! Led to outright fanaticism... Over in Italy it's commonly said that calcio is the main religion-- sports still dominate in our lives- and carry us to emotional highs!

[@PatSmith-wi1kz]

You need to tone it down or you will be classified as a snowflake karen

[@SusanDianeHowell]

The Great Imposter. 1 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld many nations and kingdoms. 2 And the angel said unto me: What beholdest thou? And I said: I behold many nations and kingdoms. 3 And he said unto me: These are the nations and kingdoms of the Gentiles. 4 And it came to pass that I saw among the nations of the Gentiles the formation of a great church. 5 And the angel said unto me: Behold the formation of a church which is most abominable above all other churches, which slayeth the saints of God, yea, and tortureth them and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of iron, and bringeth them down into captivity. 6 And it came to pass that I beheld this great and abominable church; and I saw the devil that he was the founder of it. 7 And I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine-twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many harlots. 8 And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the harlots, are the desires of this great and abominable church. 9 And also for the praise of the world do they destroy the saints of God, and bring them down into captivity. - 1 Nephi 13:1-9 The Book of Mormon