The Mighty Circus Maximus: What the Largest Circus of Ancient Rome Looked Like.
Rome was the largest and most impressive city of the empire. In its population of over a million, there were numerous public places dedicated to the people’s entertainment. Alongside the Colosseum, various baths, and theaters, there were several circuses. Among them, the largest and oldest was the Circus Maximus.
The Circus Maximus is one of the most underrated monuments in the world. Circuses in ancient Rome were, in fact, racetracks for chariots and had their origins in the Etruscan tradition, the people who inhabited Italy before the arrival of the Romans. Initially, the competitions were exclusive to the elite, and plebeian people were not even allowed as spectators. It was only under the last Etruscan king of Rome, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, that seating for ordinary citizens was added to the stands.
The structure of the building resembled Greek hippodromes. From the 5th century BC, the circus served various entertainment purposes. The first proper form of the well-known Circus Maximus was completed during the Roman Republic, around 174 BC.
What events took place in the Circus Maximus?
In the largest and oldest circus of ancient Rome, you could witness:
- Horse racing,
