On This Day in Ancient History Ludi Romani
Saturday September 5, 2009
The Ludi Romani ('Roman Games') ran from September 5-13. Also called the Ludi Magni ('the Great Games'), they were held to honor Jupiter Optimus Maximus ('Jupiter Best and Greatest') whose temple, according to H.H. Scullard, was dedicated on September 13, 509 B.C. The Ludi Romani provided ludi circenses and ludi scaenici, which means there were chariot races, gladiatorial contests, and animal hunts, as well as theatrical productions.
Circus Maximus from Clipart.com
Comments
Hi there, long time reader and a first time commenter. I am fairly sure that photo is of one of the sunken courts on the Palatine Hill rather than the Circus Maximus proper, but it is very close by.
Thanks for the comment. I don’t know if you’re right or wrong. Is there something you can point to about this picture that makes it not the circus? TIA.
The Circus is a big open space with no architecture actually on it but the Palatine is behind it. Hard to describe but it’s bigger and less enclosed.
Okay. Thanks, again. In case anyone is wondering, the photo has been changed.