If you fantasize, you can imagine how, after the reconstruction of Julius Caesar, the Big Circus accommodated 250,000 seated and as many standing spectators, and 12 chariots competed in the arena at the same time! First, inspect the ancient hippodrome from the ruins, and then climb to the Palatine and admire it from above. The entrance is free. You can go down to the arena, where the dividing ridge (back) is still clearly visible.
Grand Circus (Circo Massimo)
How to use the Big Circus
The Grand Circus (Circo Massimo) - a huge building, used to hold chariot races - the first hippodrome and stadium of ancient Rome, accommodating up to two hundred thousand spectators. He was the model for all the circuses of the Empire. Today, the Circus Massimo has become a tourist attraction, demonstrating the former power of Ancient Rome.
Model of an ancient hippodrome, photo by Pascal Radigue
In antiquity, Circo Massimo served as the venue for Ludi - public games dedicated to religious holidays. Games could last for several days, the spectacle was large-scale. Solemn ceremonies and processions took place on a huge oval field, then races and races, athletes' competitions, hunting for Venatsio animals and gladiatorial battles began.
At a time when there were no holidays, the stadium was used for grazing and training horses.
All that remains of the stadium of ancient Rome
Construction and reconstruction of the Circus Maximus
Each Roman ruler made his own changes in the appearance of the Circus Maximus. The first chariot competitions in the valley between Palatine and Aventin took place under Tarquinius the Ancient, however for a long time there were no special buildings on this territory. In 329 BC the first wooden structures of the stadium were built, and adjacent agricultural land was first drained.
Around 50 BC Julius Caesar took up the development of the circus. The arena was extended and expanded, drainage channels were made around the perimeter and between the tracks, and gates for riders were built on the short side of the oval fence. The stands were built for high-ranking spectators, wooden tiers for the townspeople and the plebs. According to Pliny the Elder, at that time the circus accommodated up to 250 thousand people.
Archeologists still discover parts of the Circus Maximus, photo <>
In 31 BC The fire destroyed the wooden buildings in the stadium. The restoration of the Great Circus was carried out by Emperor Augustus. He installed an obelisk in the arena - an Egyptian column (today it adorns the Piazza del Popolo). Emperor Domitian paved the way from his arena to his palace.
Under Trajan, the circus received a marble edging, the remains of which are visible today. The stadium was surrounded by a three-tiered wall; in the lower part, sectors were built of marble, an imperial box appeared. The arena at that time had a length of more than 600 meters, its width was 150 m. Under the Emperor Constantine, the circus was reconstructed again; another obelisk appeared in the arena, taken out of Heliopolis.
With the spread of Christianity, the role of Circo Massimo was lost. The huge stadium was still supported at Theodoric, and the last Games took place at Totil, in 549. After this, the circus completely fell, races and competitions were no longer held. The inhabitants of Rome began to gradually disassemble the walls into building materials. The arena was covered with swampy soil, covered with garbage. Today, the circus arena is buried under a 6-meter layer of soil.
Circo Massimo today
Today the Big Circus is a park, photo by Stefano Petroni
Concerts are held at the former Roman Arena, photo by Tara Keane
In the XIX century, factory buildings began to be built here. During the construction, excavations were carried out, the lower spectator rows and an external portico were opened. Until now, archaeologists have discovered parts of the buildings, but research is limited due to the swampiness of the territory.
Now the Big Circus is used as a park area. Rock concerts, mass celebrations, demonstrations of modern military equipment are held at the former Roman arena.
View of the Grand Circus, photo M-12
How to get there
To get to the Circus Maximus - this is the Circo Massimo stop, you can use:
by buses: 51, 75, 81, 85, 87, 118, 160 628, 673, No. 2, No. 10, C3;
by trams: 3; eight;
metro line B.
But it is best to walk about 5 minutes from the Roman Forum (Foro Romano) and the Colosseum (Colosseo)
or from the Palatine hill go down the stairs of Kaka (Scalae Caci), which keeps the memory of the 10th feat of Hercules.
