roman chariot racing
DESCRIPTION
Roman Chariot Racing. By: Victoria liu. Origins. Possibly oldest sport (6 th century BCE) Popular to Etruscans Evidence of chariot racing among the Lucanians of Sicily in 5 th century BCE. Race Location. Races held in a circus (got name from its oval shape) Oldest and largest circus- - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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