BY: VICTORIA LIU

Roman Chariot Racing

Origins

Possibly oldest sport (6th century BCE)Popular to Etruscans Evidence of chariot racing among the

Lucanians of Sicily in 5th century BCE

Race Location

Races held in a circus (got name from its oval shape)

Oldest and largest circus- Circus Maximus

Originally raced in a flat, sandy track; spectators sat on hills

Gradually developed into Circus MaximusFirst built with wood, burned down a few

timesThen rebuilt with marble and concrete

Popularity

Popular to all social classesPopularity depicted in common household

items

Charioteers and Teams

Most charioteers started as slaves, but bought their freedom

4 racing companies were known by their colors Red, White, Blue, and Green

Rivalry

Help me in the Circus on 8 November. Bind every limb, every sinew, the shoulders, the ankles and the elbows of Olympus, Olympianus, Scortius and Juvencus, the charioteers of the Red. Torment their minds, their intelligence and their senses so that they may not know what they are doing, and knock out their eyes so that they may not see where they are going—neither they nor the horses they are going to drive. (translated by H. A. Harris, Sport in Greece and Rome, 235-36)

(Trying to incapacitate a red racer)

The Chariots

Designed to be as small and lightweight as possible

Made of woodEnforced little support or protection to the

charioteerNormally 4 racehorses per chariot

Charioteers

Wore little body protectionLight helmetThe way that the reins were wrapped around

their waists (to use body weight to control horses) was dangerous

How the Races Worked

Began with a ceremony headed by the dignitary who sponsored the game

Charioteers, teams, musicians, dancers, and priests carrying the gods and goddesses who were to watch in the races followed the dignitary

Usually 12 races a dayOnce the horses were ready, the white cloth

(mappa) was dropped, and 12 teams began to race

First team to complete 7 full laps wins

End of the Race

Spectators followed the race by watching the egg or dolphin counters

The winning charioteer is presented with a palm branch and wreath by the dignitary

Other Purposes

Races related with funeral gamesIn Rome, had religious ties

To chariot driving deities Sol (the sun) Luna ( the moon) Consus, agricultural deity

Ludi Magni was a festivity which was celebrated with the chariot races in honor of Jupiter

Bibliography

http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/circus.html

http://rome.mrdonn.org/circus.html