Introduction: The Sport That Defined Roman Entertainment
In all of Roman entertainment there was probably no event more exciting, more dangerous, or more widely attended than the chariot races. And there was no place in all of Rome which so embodied that excitement, that danger, and that popular passion than the Circus Maximus, situated between the Palatine and Aventine Hills in the valley below. For centuries the Circus was the energetic and the thrilling center of the whole system of public amusement in Rome; in the stands a hundred thousand spectators, and more, watched two horse-chariots scream around the track at breathtaking speeds.
From National Geographic’s careful chronicle of the sport of Roman chariot racing we also glean insight into the sport and its importance not only to Romans themselves but to the entire system that was the social structure and imperial system of Rome; it turns out chariot racing had much to do with politics, religion, social position, and power.
The Circus Maximus: Romeβs Largest Entertainment Arena
But the Circus Maximus was far more than a stadium it was the world’s largest place of entertainment. It consisted of a long-elongated stadium with a divider running down the middle. The spina as it was known was used to mark out the courses and was a decorative feature of the stadium being often decorated with obelisks, statues and markers for the laps of the race.
At its height it could hold an estimated 150-250 thousand spectators more than many modern football stadiums put together. The sheer size of it represents how important public games were to Roman life. It was renovated many times and expanded significantly under Caesar and subsequently by the emperors, who use it as a symbol of their political power and public spending. The Circus Maximus had no cover like many modern stadium facilities and the audience sat on a sloping tiered structure of wooden seats along the side of the track open to the elements, but was by all accounts an electrifying experience.
Chariot Racing: The Fastest and Most Dangerous Roman Sport
Most loved sport of ancient Romans; considerably more popular than gladiator games and was raced at considerably more times each year and for a considerably larger number of spectators. Typically, races were not with two, but four or sometimes even more horses with a light cart (chariot) tied to them. The usual method was quadriga’s of four horses driven by one charioteer.
Racing was fast, chaotic and very dangerous with collisions causing damage to and destruction of the chariots and even death to the drivers; charioteers had to be courageous to race. Collisions could cause the chariot to capsize or become locked with another which would pull one, or both vehicles into the boundary fence.
The races would consist of multiple laps around the circus; normally a maximum of seven, it may have taken only a matter of minutes to finish a race, however all involved knew that at the sharp turns at either end of the spina the real race would occur. The noise from the thousands of spectators, thundering of horses, rising dust and crashing of chariots proved fascinating to the Romans.
The Charioteers: Roman Sports Stars and Risk-Takers
The men who drove the chariots, the Aurigae, were generally low-born, often slaves. Despite the social stigma associated with their occupation, popular charioteers enjoyed immense popularity, fame and financial success. Their renown would have been similar to that of modern top athletes-with partisan fans and endorsements in the form of subsidies to factions and recognition throughout the Roman Empire.
Aurigae were not shielded within the chariots, and they typically bound the reins about their bodies to control their horses, a practice that added to the hazards. If a chariot overturned, it was highly likely that a driver would be pulled behind and along the track unless they managed to free themselves by means of a knife. Safety gear was rudimentary, limited to the wearing of helmets, and, occasionally, light armor. The combination of high speed, minimal protection and proximity to other drivers resulted in the sport’s considerable lethality.
The Racing Factions: Ancient Romeβs Sports Teams
One of the most interesting aspects of the Roman chariot races was the nature of the professional racing factions. Factions were essentially racing stables where charioteers were trained and where the necessary horses and equipment were owned. Every faction represented one color, and fans of racing factions tended to have quite passionate loyalties to their favored team. The four major racing factions were the Reds, the Whites, the Blues, and the Greens. The four racing factions were certainly not just sports organizations, but large social organizations, whose fans spanned much of Roman society. Rivalries between factions could be quite heated and could even, in some instances, erupt into social or political turmoil. Training, medical attention and repairs for both chariots and horses were undertaken by specialized trainers, veterinarians, and mechanics and so forth for each faction. Horses selected for racing were chosen on the basis of strength and speed. Training methods were highly specialized, and success depended as much upon the organization as on the skills of the charioteer and horses.
The Race Experience: Ceremony Before Competition
The days at the Circus Maximus were not just simple horse races, but highly organized, ceremonial public events. Often a ceremonial procession would pass through the city before the races, carrying officials, priests, musical instruments, religious paraphernalia and members of the different teams of racers.
When the procession reached the Circus Maximus, the chariots were put into the stalls from where the races were run (called carceres). These made sure that all participants started at the same time and in a reasonably fair manner. To begin with, the white cloth that the sponsor threw onto the track would give the starting signal. As soon as this was released, the stalls would open, the chariots would start moving and, at the sound of the trumpets, the roar of the crowd would begin. The moment of the start of the race was extremely hazardous, with many chariots rushing into a narrow track at once. First places were often lost and gained during the first few moments of the race.
Strategy, Speed, and Survival on the Track
Despite how unruly chariot racing appears, it relied on careful strategy and skillful maneuvering. Charioteers were expected to carefully steer around the corners of the spina, trying to avoid the many other racing chariots. Driving on the inside of the spina was quicker, but involved more dangers than driving on the outside lanes, which provided more room to maneuver.
Often, drivers on teams within the same faction cooperated together in order to block off opposing teams and create gaps for their lead chariot. Communication among charioteers, horse grooms, and other team members was extremely important during races.
Spectators closely followed the race, in many cases using a visual counter to keep track of the laps that had been completed on the spina-made of eggs on dowels or dolphin shaped figurines. Seven laps was a standard amount for races, and it was often the last few seconds of the race that had the most intensity.
Risk, Death, and Glory in Roman Sport
But chariot racing was not only entertaining; it was incredibly dangerous. Naufragia or ‘shipwrecks’ which were quite common. Horses could become panicked, chariots could tip over and when traveling at great speed even a small collision could lead to serious injury or death.
Despite these risks, the sport became incredibly popular. Its very dangers increased its appeal to the public as they added a large element of the unpredictable which kept people interested. The prize winnings were substantial and made heroes of those who managed to come out on top in this thrilling, unpredictable spectacle. Charioteers also gained glory, fame and admiration in addition to their monetary gains and they lived comfortable, easy lives.
The drivers who were extremely successful, like these few, were often commemorated in inscriptions and historical writings long after they had retired.
Conclusion
More than just a sport, chariot racing in the Circus Maximus was integral to Roman identity. In the Circus Maximus, the entertainments, politics, religion, and social activities merged into a potent blend that could bring people together or tear them apart.
The size of the Circus Maximus, the excitement of the races and the enthusiasm of the fans demonstrates just how crucial the public entertainment had been in Roman society. The ruins of the Circus Maximus in Rome continue to serve as a reminder of a society that knew how to utilize public shows and large, public displays.
Although the Roman Empire has collapsed and fallen, the heritage of its primary sport stadium still holds sway in the way that contemporary society approaches sports, its fans, and any grand public displays. The clamor of the fans, the velocity of the chariots and the spectacle of a high-stakes contest can still be heard echoing through the millennia, which have long since passed, in one of antiquity’s most recognized structures.
