The Roman Circus and the Circus Maximus

The Ludi Romani or Ludi Magni (September 5-19) were held to honor Jupiter Optimus Maximus whose temple was dedicated on September 13, 509 (Source: Scullard). The games were organized by the curule aediles and were divided into ludi circenses (e.g., chariot races and gladiatorial combats) and ludi scaenici (theatrical performances). They started with a procession to the Circus Maximus. In the procession were young men, some on horseback, charioteers, the almost naked competing athletes, spear carrying dancers to flute and lyre players, satyr and Silenoi impersonators, musicians and incense burners, followed by images of the gods and once-mortal divine heroes, and sacrificial animals. The games included horse-drawn chariot races, foot races, boxing, wrestling, and more.

Circus Maximus
Ludi

King Tarquinius Priscus (Tarquin) was the first Etruscan king of Rome. When he took power, he engaged in various political ploys to gain popular favor. Among other actions, he waged a successful war against a neighboring Latin town. In honor of the Roman victory, Tarquin held the first of the "Ludi Romani," the Roman Games, consisting of boxing and horse racing. The spot that he selected for the "Ludi Romani" became the Circus Maximus.

The topography of the city of Rome is known for its seven hills (Palatine, Aventine, Capitoline or Capitolium, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline and Caelian). Tarquin laid out the first racetrack circuit in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine Hills. Spectators could view the action by sitting on the hillsides. Later Romans developed another type of stadium (colosseum) to suit other games they enjoyed. The ovoid shape and seating of the circus was more suited to chariot races than to wild beast and gladiator fights, although the Circus Maximus held both.

Circus Maximus
King Tarquin laid out an arena (arena comes from the Latin for sand: harena) known as the Circus Maximus. Down the center was a barrier (spina), with pillars at each end around which charioteers had to maneuver -- carefully. Julius Caesar enlarged this circus to 1800 feet in length by 350 feet wide. Seats (150,000 in Caesar's time) were on terraces over stone arched vaults. A building with stalls and entrances to the seats surrounded the circus. The last games were held in the sixth century A.D.

Ludi and Games
Tarquinius Priscus

Factions
The drivers of the chariots (aurigae or agitatores) that raced in the circus wore team (faction) colors. Originally the factions were the White and Red, but Green and Blue were added during the Empire. Domitian introduced short-lived Purple and Gold factions. By the fourth century A.D., the White faction had joined the Green, and the Red had joined the Blue. The factions attracted fanatically loyal supporters.

Laps
On the flat end of the circus were twelve openings (carceres) through which the chariots passed. Conical pillars (metae) marked the starting line (alba linea). At the opposite end were matching metae. Starting on the right of the spina, the charioteers raced down the course rounded the pillars and returned to the start seven times (missus).

Hazards
Because there were wild beasts in the circus arena, spectators were offered some protection through an iron railing. When Pompey held an elephant fight in the arena, the railing broke. Caesar added a moat (euripus) ten feet wide and ten feet deep between arena and the seats. Nero filled it back in. Fires in the wooden seats was another danger. The charioteers and those behind them were in particular danger when they rounded the metae.

Julius Caesar
Pompey

Other Circuses
The Circus Maximus was the first and largest circus, but it was not the only one. Other circuses included the Circus Flaminius (where the Ludi Plebeii were held) and the Circus of Maxentius.