Circus: Did you mean...?

The Circus Maximus was a chariot racetrack in Rome constructed in the 6th century BCE. Used for other events such as the Roman Games and gladiator fights, it last hosted chariot races in the 6th century. Partially excavated in the 20th century...

Chariot racing was very big business in ancient Rome. There was a whole industry built around the factions, the four professional stables known by their team colour – Blue, Green, Red, and White –, providing all that was required for a race...

The Roman circus of Augusta Emerita is a ruined Roman circus in Mérida (Spain). Inaugurated in the first quarter of the first century CE, it was used for chariot racing, and was modelled on the Circus Maximus in Rome. Measuring 440 metres...

An illustration of what the Circus Maximus chariot track of Rome might have looked like. The Circus Maximus dates back to the 6th century BCE but was at its most splendid in the 1st century CE when it had a capacity for 250,000 spectators...

The view of Rome's Circus Maximus in the present day. The original circus lies 9 m below ground level and was first laid out in the 6th century BCE. The present site was remodelled in the 1930s CE to resemble the original.

If there was one thing the Roman people loved it was spectacle and the opportunity of escapism offered by weird and wonderful public shows which assaulted the senses and ratcheted up the emotions. Roman rulers knew this well and so to increase...

Illustration of the Circus Maximus in Rome, as it might have appeared in Antiquity by Rocío Espin. Courtesy of Ancient History Magazine / Karwansaray Publishers.

Artist's impression of the Circus Maximus in ancient Rome, with a chariot race going on.

A releif showing a quadriga race in the Cricus Maximus, Rome (2-3rd century); Trinci Palace, Foligno, Italy. The starting gates can be seen on the far left. The upper left-hand corner shows the magistrate who will begin the race by dropping...

Mosaic depicting a quadriga of the factio prasina (‘the Greens,’ representing the spring), 3rd century CE, from Rome. (National Archaeological Museum of Spain, Madrid) The green team is victorious. Their admired steeds have performed splendidly...