Rome

• 

Circus Maximus

Little of the actual structure remains at the Circus Maximus, ancient Rome’s major chariot-racing venue, but it’s still possible to visualise the flat base of the long basin as the racetrack, and the sloping sides as the stands. At the southern end are some brick remains of the original seating (the tower is medieval). The oldest and largest of Rome’s ancient arenas, the Circus Maximus hosted chariot races from at least the fourth century BC. It was rebuilt by Julius Caesar to hold as many as 300,000 people. Races involved up to 12 rigs of four horses each; the circus was also flooded for mock sea battles.

• Did you find this useful? Yes No
• 

      

---