The Circus Maximus was a large chariot racetrack in Rome constructed in the 6th century BCE by order of the Roman emperor Tarquinius Priscus. It hosted chariot races as well as other public events like games and gladiator fights. At its largest in the 1st century CE, the Circus Maximus had a capacity of 300,000 spectators seated in tiers around its track, which measured 540 by 80 meters. The track featured starting gates, a central dividing barrier decorated with obelisks, and turning posts at each end to mark laps.

1. circo massimo (Circus maximus)

2. The Circus Maximus was
a chariot racetrack in
Rome first constructed in
the 6th century BCE.by
order of tarquinius
priscus, the fifth emperor
,The Circus was also used
for other public events
such as the
Roman(athletics) Games
and gladiator fights and
was last used for chariot
races in the 6th century

3. What was is used for ?
The chariot was a light vehicle,
usually on two wheels, droven by
one or more horses, sometimes
other animals , often carrying two
standing gladiators , a driver and a
fighter
The coin shows circus maximus on
the left, on the right it shows
augustus the emperor

4. Circus maximus’s dimension
At its largest during the 1st
century CE following its
rebuilding after the fire of 64
CE, the Circus had a capacity
for 300000 and some say its
about 250000 spectators
seated on banks 30 m wide
and 28 m high. Seats were in
concrete and stone in the
lower two tiers and wood for
the rest. Usually lower levels
back at that time was in
concrete or stone to protect
them from any incident .
View of the Circus site from the south-east. The tower
in the foreground is part of a medieval fortification.

5. Analysis of the circus
● The track, originally covered in sand ( so it protects the gladiators or people in there )and
measuring 540 x 80 m.
● 12 starting gates (carceres) placed equally for the spectators to catch them good )for
chariots arranged in an arc at the open end of the track.
● A decorated barrier (spina or euripus) complete with obelisks running down the centre of
the track.
● Conical turning posts (metae) placed at each end of the track.
● Lap markers (eggs and dolphins) which were turned to mark the completion of each of the
seven circuits of a typical race.

6. Circus maximus plan
Please explain the question or problem that you investigated

8. Analysis of the circus
In the middle of the spinner or barrier
there is an obelisk (of rammesses the
second ) the augustus obelisk named
by the emperor in 10 BC , one of the
8 egyption obelisks in ancient rome ,
captured from egypt , as a monument
to the conquest of egypt , which can
show the spectatures power of the
empire , on the half way of the spinner
are sets of dolphins and sets of eggs ,
this indicates the number of laps that
to be raced , at the end there is the
turning posts or meta ( cone shaped)
Currently the obelisk is in the piazzo
del popolo , since the 1587
The piazza del popolo by giovanni battista

9. Seats are supported
on arches of bricks
and stone, these
cover the stairways
and entrances ,
water their shops
and toilets
underneath seats
for the comfort of
the audience

10. The emperor’s box ( pulvinar)
Drawing construction of the pulvinar

15. References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_Maximus
https://www.thebyzantinelegacy.com/augustan-obelisk
https://www.ancient.eu/Circus_Maximus/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Circus-Maximus
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/362729
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4HPdfgo7CY&ab_channel=TodayIFoundOut
https://youtu.be/LaOVn3VtA0I
Nour arafat
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