Circus Maximus, Province of Rome

Circus Maximus - details and images

Races between chariots were one of the most popular ways of entertainment Romanians. Romulus is said that even the first of seven kings of Rome, used to hold competitions among them to fight. Circus Maximus has a history that stretches back to the 6th century BC When Tarquinius Priscus, fifth king of Rome, has created a runway for such contests between Palatino hills and Aventino. Where the first portion of the race start was made in 329 BC In 174 BC gates were rebuilt and seven wooden eggs were placed on the "spin" in the center of the arena wall. These eggs were used to include tours, each tour after an egg is removed. In 33 i.Ch seven bronze dolphins were added to the "spin" for the same purpose.

A fire that took place in 31 BC, the first in a series of three such events, destroyed the wooden structure of the huge wooden stadium. Circus Maximus was rebuilt by Emperor Augustus, who added an imperial lodge Palatino hill. "Spin" was decorated with a very tall obelisk brought from Heliopolis. Obelisk is now found in Piazza del Popolo. Another obelisk was added to the "spin" the Circus Maximus than later in the 4th century. The second fire took place in 64 AD and began to shop around the track. This was really devastating fire, destroying much of Rome in the time of Emperor Nero.

After another fire, Circus Maximus was rebuilt in 103 AD by Trajan. Roman Empire was at the height of its power and status reflect the Circus Maximus. Circus Maximus was now a stone building, three storeys high. The lower part, the stands, was built of marble. Circus Maximus had become a complex arena with a length of 600 meters and a width of 150 meters in which racing takes on a whole new dimension and grandeur, arousing emotions and numerous cheers from the audience.

Circus Maximus was used occasionally for other events such as religious processions, or battles between gladiators, but most of the times was used for racing. Contests were extremely popular among the Romans, and they gathered to support their favorite wild. Competitors were divided into four groups: red, white, green and blue representing summer, winter, spring and autumn. They also betting on the various factions and supporters often amounted to incaiere and even kill each other. Accidents still strong spent in clashes between chariots involved in the race.

Last race in Circus Maximus took place in 549 AD, nearly a millennium after the first race. Today not only can discern where it was once grand building of the ancient world. Most parts of the original structure were used as building materials for other medieval or renaissance buildings.

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