Take a minute and think about Ancient Roman games/entertainment -- what comes to mind? For many of you, your first thought was probably of gladiators fighting to the death in the Colosseum. While gladiator fights certainly capture our modern imaginations, they weren't the only form of life and death entertainment in Ancient Rome. Entertainment and games were vital to Roman culture ---- it is no coincidence that many of the most well preserved buildings we have left from Ancient Rome were dedicated to entertainment and games. The most popular forms of sport was chariot racing. Romans loved the life or death aspect and violence of the races.
When/Where did Chariot Racing begin?
Chariot racing has probably been around for as long as chariots themselves (~4,000 years ago). The earliest literary reference to chariot racing from from Homer's Iliad and the funeral games of Patroklos. In this passage, Diomedes, Eumelus, Antilochus, Menelaus, and Meriones compete in a chariot race in Patroklos' honor. The winner, Diomedes, won a slave girl and a cauldron. Later on, chariot racing became a key event of the Olympic Games (started in 776 BCE). According to tradition, Pelops defeated King Oenomaus in a chariot race (even though Pelops cheated) and founded the Olympic Games in his honor.
The Greek custom of chariot racing seems to have transferred to the Etruscans, who then passed it along to the Romans. One of the earliest traditions of Roman chariot racing was the abduction of the Sabine Women by King Romulus, who used chariot racing/games to distract the Sabines while he stole their daughters and wives. |
Chariot racing depicted on a Greek Vase
The "Delphi Charioteer" -- one of the most famous bronze statues of Ancient Greece
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Ancient Roman Chariot Racing
Chariot racing in Ancient Rome was known as the "lūdī circēnsēs" ("games in the Circus") and they were possibly the most popular form of entertainment in the city. The games were held in the Circus Maximus, a massive open-air racetrack between the Palatine and Aventine Hills. While it's hard to confirm the exact number, there were games throughout the year celebrating different festivals and events -- some estimate over 90 of these "fēriae" ("holidays"). On these days, citizens were "celebrating a holiday" (fēriātī).
The charioteers (aurīgae) competed in chariots pulled by four horses (known as "quadrīgae"), although some races even involved chariots pulled by 8 or even 12 horses. A standard race had 7 laps that needed to be completed (roughly 5 miles in total). A barrier (called the "spīna") ran down the center of the track. At the end of the track were the turning posts (called "mētae"), which was the most dangerous part of the course. Fouling was not only permitted, but encouraged to add spice and drama to the event. Charioteers would wear a helmet (and other protective gear) and carry with them a small knife. This is because they wrapped the reins of the chariot around their arms to maintain control and therefore could not let go. In the event of a crash, they needed to cut the reins to not be dragged by their horses. The proximity of the chariots to each other, along with the hitting between charioteers, meant that wrecks (called "naufragia" -- literally "shipwrecks") were very frequent (which the spectators loved to see). To start the race, all the chariots were lined up behind a starting gate. When the emperor dropped his napking ("mappa") as a signal ("signum") the gates sprung open and the race started.
The charioteers (aurīgae) competed in chariots pulled by four horses (known as "quadrīgae"), although some races even involved chariots pulled by 8 or even 12 horses. A standard race had 7 laps that needed to be completed (roughly 5 miles in total). A barrier (called the "spīna") ran down the center of the track. At the end of the track were the turning posts (called "mētae"), which was the most dangerous part of the course. Fouling was not only permitted, but encouraged to add spice and drama to the event. Charioteers would wear a helmet (and other protective gear) and carry with them a small knife. This is because they wrapped the reins of the chariot around their arms to maintain control and therefore could not let go. In the event of a crash, they needed to cut the reins to not be dragged by their horses. The proximity of the chariots to each other, along with the hitting between charioteers, meant that wrecks (called "naufragia" -- literally "shipwrecks") were very frequent (which the spectators loved to see). To start the race, all the chariots were lined up behind a starting gate. When the emperor dropped his napking ("mappa") as a signal ("signum") the gates sprung open and the race started.
Charioteers were part of racing teams, or factions ("factiōnēs"), with a specific color associated with each team. They were:
Roman charioteers were very famous athletes and could become incredibly wealthy, much like our athletes today. The winner of a chariot race would win a laurel wreath, as a symbol of victory, and a cash prize. Many charioteers were slaves, bought and trained by the different factions specifically to race chariots. If a slave charioteer won enough races, however, they might earn their freedom. |
A Roman mosaic depicting charioteers from the different factions
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This was fairly rare, but possible. We have record of the most famous of all Roman charioteers, named Gaius Appuleius Diocles, who won over 1,400 races and earned the equivalent of $15 billion throughout his illustrious career. We even have records of the names of famous horses from the chariot races. Just like modern horse racing, Romans kept detailed records of famous horses, their statistics, and their pedigree. This gives you a sense of just how famous/wealthy these charioteers could be!
A mosaic of a chariot race -- notice the four faction colors and the wreck happening at the turning post in the upper right corner!
So who would watch these magnificent games? In short, almost everyone! Admission to the Circus seems to have been free, so even the poor classes could come and watch the races. Wealthy Romans seemed to have been able to pay extra for shaded seats closer to the action. Any Roman spectator with a little money would have tried to bet on the games, as well. Due to the Circus' location next to the Palatine Hill (where the Imperial Palace was located), the Circus was the only place where the Emperor would come and be seen by the people, since the Imperial box was connected to the Palace.
As we mentioned before, fans were highly dedicated and supportive of one particular faction. This led to some intense rivalries and fights in the stands would have been common. Additionally, fans would apparently write curse tablets (called "defixiones") on pieces of lead studded with nails cursing rival racers and their horses. These tablets would be thrown at opposing drivers to distract/injure them! |
A Roman curse tablet found in London
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The Circus Maximus
But what about the actual building in which the chariot races took place? What did it look like? Who built it? Let's dive into these questions! To start, click here to open a World History Encyclopedia article on the Circus Maximus.
As mentioned in the AHE article, chariot races in Ancient Rome took place in the Circus Maximus. The Circus had to be rebuilt after the Great Fire of 64 CE, but when it was completed and reached its peak in the 1st century CE, it could hold up to 250,000 spectators! Spectators sat on concrete seats for the lower two tiers and wooden seats for the upper ones. The Circus was over 2,000 feet long and ~400 feet wide. The track itself was ~1,770 feet long and ~262 feet wide. Like many modern stadiums, the Circus had arcades of shops on the outside where spectators could buy food and drink.
Take a look at the video below to get a sense of what the Circus Maximus would have looked like in ancient times.
Take a look at the video below to get a sense of what the Circus Maximus would have looked like in ancient times.
Chariot Racing Visuals: Ben-Hur
To see what a chariot race might have looked like, take a look at the clips below from the 1959 classic, Ben-Hur, and it's famous chariot racing scene!
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If you want to try something different (especially if you access to VR Headsets), take a look at this 360 video from the 2016 remake of Ben-Hur. Since this is a 360 video, use your mouse (if on a computer) or finger (if one a phone) to move the screen around.
The Dangers of Chariot Racing (and comparisons to modern times)
Now that we've learned all about chariot racing in Ancient Rome, let's think about how it compares to modern sporting events. What role to sports play in our society today? Do we idolize our athletes? Why? What is the appeal of sport in America and across the world? What does it do for us?
Another thing to consider from this chapter is just how dangerous chariot racing could be, not only for the drivers but for the crowd as well! Mixing 250,000 people with alcohol and intense loyalty is a potential recipe for disaster. To learn more about how these events could go badly, let's take a look at a few examples from ancient Rome...
Another thing to consider from this chapter is just how dangerous chariot racing could be, not only for the drivers but for the crowd as well! Mixing 250,000 people with alcohol and intense loyalty is a potential recipe for disaster. To learn more about how these events could go badly, let's take a look at a few examples from ancient Rome...
The Pompeian Riots of 59 CE
In the preserved ruins of Pompeii, we have found evidence of a major riot in 59 AD, which focused on gladiatorial games in the arena. According to the evidence, there was a gladiatorial competition between Pompeii and the neighboring town of Nuceria. During the games, a riot broke out in the stands leading to a mass of violence. As a result, the emperor Nero banned gladiatorial games in Pompeii for years -- not lifting the ban until an imperial visit in 64 AD.
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A wall painting of the riots in 59AD -- click the image to enlarge it! Notice the violence breaking out in the streets outside of the amphitheater.
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The Nika Riots of 532 CE
The Nika Riots took place in Constantinople during the reign of Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I. They all centered on chariot racing and the intense rivalry among the spectators. By this time in Roman history, the "factions" of support for chariot racing teams had expanded and taken on political aspects and now were a mix between gangs and political parties. During races, different factions would chant at the emperor and try to persuade him into certain political moves. Without proper control, these factions could spiral out of control, so the situation was very tense! These factions were also backed by influential aristocrats, who did not necessarily support the Emperor Justinian I.
In January of 532 CE, there was a day full of chariot racing. By the end of the day, however, the crowds had stopped cheering for their teams and had started a unified chant of "Nika! Nika!" ("Conquer! Conquer!") and a riot broke out. The crowd stormed the Imperial Palace in an attempt to overthrow emperor Justinian, spurred on by politicians who wanted to remove the emperor. Justinian was eventually able to restore order (persuaded by his famous wife, Theodora), but reports say that over 30,000 people were murdered in the riot. Much of Constantinople burned down, including the famous "Hagia Sophia" building, which was rebuilt and still stands in Istanbul today.
In January of 532 CE, there was a day full of chariot racing. By the end of the day, however, the crowds had stopped cheering for their teams and had started a unified chant of "Nika! Nika!" ("Conquer! Conquer!") and a riot broke out. The crowd stormed the Imperial Palace in an attempt to overthrow emperor Justinian, spurred on by politicians who wanted to remove the emperor. Justinian was eventually able to restore order (persuaded by his famous wife, Theodora), but reports say that over 30,000 people were murdered in the riot. Much of Constantinople burned down, including the famous "Hagia Sophia" building, which was rebuilt and still stands in Istanbul today.
Modern Connections -- the "10-cent Beer Night" Fiasco (Cleveland, 1974)
Now that you have seen some dangers of crowds at entertainment events in Ancient Rome, let's think about our own times. One of the most famous riots at a sports event was the "10-cent Beer Night" riot at a Cleveland Indians game in 1974. The team had a promotion of selling beers for 10 cents, instead of the usual 65 cents. The result was a drunken crowd and one of the most dangerous baseball games every played. Take a look at the YouTube video to the right to watch a documentary on the event.
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