Audio Guide Rome – The Circus Maximus
Audio Guide – The Circus Maximus – Back to Rome
The Circus Maximus
The Circus Maximus, manly used for chariot and horse racing, is the biggest and most ancient sports ground circle in Rome.
At least 370.000 spectators could enjoy public games and entertainment going on in this “Valley” situated between the Aventine and Palatine hills (the Aventine Hill is also known for “the Rape of the Sabine Women”).
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The first racing and games go back to the age of Romulus and later they went on with Tarquinius, Gaius Julius Cesar, Augustus, Tiberius and Nero.
All of them contributed to built, improve and modify this big open space.
In the 2nd century B.C., the Circus Maximus was 600 meters in length and at least 200 meters in width.
One side of the “Circus” was wider than the other, thus this side was used as a starting point during chariots races.
Emperor Augustus ordered the building of an obelisk dedicated to Ramesses II inside the Circus Maximus, but, towards the end of the XVI century, this obelisk was placed in the middle of Piazza del Popolo.
A second famous obelisk, dedicated to Thutmosis III was also moved from the Circus Maximus and placed in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano. As time went by, the first wooden structures that served as stages and steps, were replaced by masonry structures consisting of three units: the base unit consisted manly of arches with passages, steps, seats, stairs and rooms reserved for shopping and other services.
