THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS
(Message by Tanny Keng)
b) Roman Emperor Julius Caesar (who reigned from 49 to 44 B.C.) enlarged the Circus Maximus around 50 B.C. After its enlargement the track area was roughly 1,968 feet (1/3 of a mile or 600 meters) long by 738 feet (225 meters) wide. At capacity the stadium could hold upwards of one hundred and fifty thousand seated visitors.
c) In 81 A.D., the Roman Senate had constructed an arch to honor Emperor Titus on the closed East end of the circus. Domitian (who ruled from 81 to 96 A.D. and who was the Emperor who banished the apostle John to Patmos) had his new Palatine palace joined to the Circus so that he would have a better view of the races. Trajan (who ruled from 98 to 117) added another 5,000 seats and enlarged his seating area so that he could increase his popularity among the masses.
d) The event that proved to be the most popular in the circus was the chariot races. Twelve chariots could race at the same time. A median in the middle of the circus held various statues of gods as well as an obelisk from Egypt installed by Augustus.
e) Not much remains of the Circus Maximus except for the ancient track now covered with grass. Some gates used for starting the races still remain although the majority of the seating not longer exists. Over the years building materials have been taken from the Circus and used for other structures. The Egyptian obelisk that was placed in the middle of the track by Augustus was taken by a Pope in the Sixteenth Century. Site excavation was started sometime in the 19th century, which was then followed by some restoration of the area. There has yet to have been major excavations and / or restoration of the circus grounds.
f) Although the Circus may well be the most well-known of Rome's arenas others were also built such as the Flaminius (located near the Tiber River) and the Maxentius (which was built on the Appian Way). It is believed that the majority of Christian martyrdom in Rome took place at the Circus Maximus.
The End ...
The first and largest circus the empire built, it could hold up to 150,000 seated visitors. It hosted games, festivals, chariot races and the martyrdom of countless Christians.
1. What games did Rome's BIGGEST arena hold?
a) The Circus Maximus (which means a large or largest area) is a Roman building located in one of Rome's valleys. It is the first and largest circus of its kind built by the mighty Empire. It was first utilized for entertaining the public by the early Roman kings. Later in its history it was the location of Grecian-influenced festivals in the Second Century B.C.
b) Roman Emperor Julius Caesar (who reigned from 49 to 44 B.C.) enlarged the Circus Maximus around 50 B.C. After its enlargement the track area was roughly 1,968 feet (1/3 of a mile or 600 meters) long by 738 feet (225 meters) wide. At capacity the stadium could hold upwards of one hundred and fifty thousand seated visitors.
c) In 81 A.D., the Roman Senate had constructed an arch to honor Emperor Titus on the closed East end of the circus. Domitian (who ruled from 81 to 96 A.D. and who was the Emperor who banished the apostle John to Patmos) had his new Palatine palace joined to the Circus so that he would have a better view of the races. Trajan (who ruled from 98 to 117) added another 5,000 seats and enlarged his seating area so that he could increase his popularity among the masses.
d) The event that proved to be the most popular in the circus was the chariot races. Twelve chariots could race at the same time. A median in the middle of the circus held various statues of gods as well as an obelisk from Egypt installed by Augustus.
e) Not much remains of the Circus Maximus except for the ancient track now covered with grass. Some gates used for starting the races still remain although the majority of the seating not longer exists. Over the years building materials have been taken from the Circus and used for other structures. The Egyptian obelisk that was placed in the middle of the track by Augustus was taken by a Pope in the Sixteenth Century. Site excavation was started sometime in the 19th century, which was then followed by some restoration of the area. There has yet to have been major excavations and / or restoration of the circus grounds.
f) Although the Circus may well be the most well-known of Rome's arenas others were also built such as the Flaminius (located near the Tiber River) and the Maxentius (which was built on the Appian Way). It is believed that the majority of Christian martyrdom in Rome took place at the Circus Maximus.
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