Circus Maximus

The Circus Maximus (in Italian Circo Massimo) is the vast racetrack of ancient Rome, located on the left bank of the Tiber River, between the Palatine and Aventine hills, near the centre of the modern city.

Test Your Knowledge Before Visiting the Circus Maximus

The Name

The name Circo Massimo comes from the Latin Circus Maximus. One of the meanings of the word “circus” is a hippodrome, a place for horse contests. For centuries, horse racing took place in the valley between the hills. However, the original function of the racetrack was to host the Roman Games (Ludi Romani), which formed part of a more significant festival in honour of Jupiter.

The first events were held in Rome in 500 BC, during the reign of Lucius Tarquinius Priscus. Quadrigas – chariots drawn by four horses abreast – competed in a straight-line race. Having reached the end of the valley, they turned around and galloped back at full speed, striving to cross the finish line first.

The rules were altered in the 2^nd century BC due to the construction of a watercourse in Rome around 146 BC. To build it, a tunnel 4.5 metres high and 2.5 metres wide (14 ft 9 in × 8 ft 2 in) was dug on the flat ground of the valley. Along the entire hippodrome, one hill was left untouched so that quadrigas could race in circles. This fact thoroughly explains the second meaning of the Latin word “circus” – a circle – and subsequently the Italian word “Circo”. The Circus truly was “Massimo” – large, covering the whole valley, 600 metres long and 150 metres wide (2,000 ft × 500 ft).

Description

Descriptions of the Circus vary depending on the period of its development. Initially, spectators who wished to watch the horse racing sat directly on the slopes of the hill. Over time, the first structures appeared: benches for the most respected and wealthy citizens, a wooden launch area, and stalls for horses.

In its heyday, under the rule of the first Roman emperors, the Circus was one of the most impressive constructions in Rome. In the 1^st century BC, Gaius Julius Caesar rebuilt it, expanding and extending the arena and digging a channel around it.

Now, due to the new dimensions (621 m (2,037 ft) in length and 118 m (387 ft) in width), it could accommodate 12 quadrigas at the same time.

A fence was erected around the stadium, along with wooden stands for patricians and tiered seating for plebeians. The Circus could hold 150,000 spectators, and over the centuries, this number more than doubled. At the very least, just as many supporters stood upright cheering for their favourites.

There were three towers at one end of the arena: the central tower housed the gateway for entry, and the other two featured stalls for horses (standing cells) arranged in a semicircle. Winners exited the Circus through the gate at the opposite end.

Along the centre of the arena was a narrow platform adorned with two ancient Egyptian obelisks. Both obelisks have survived and can now be found at Piazza del Popolo and at Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, in front of the Lateran Palace.

The platform was completed with conical stone pillars – metal at both ends. Chariot races started at one metal and finished at the opposite end of the arena after seven laps. Two stands on the platform displayed seven wooden eggs each, used to count the number of laps. Later, a series of small fountains shaped like bronze dolphins – sea horses of Neptune, the patron of horse racing – were added.

The Decline

After Caesar’s reign, the Circus Maximus continued to attract the citizens of ancient Rome for around 500 years. However, the end of its glory still seemed a long way off. Many emperors who ruled in Rome contributed to the decoration of the Circus. Thus, after a fire in Rome in 31 BC, Emperor Augustus restored the Circus and gave it its final form. Stone, stage-like stands for privileged spectators – senators and horsemen – became the foundation. Two upper tiers remained wooden, and arcades with shops and taverns appeared outside. Decoration continued after Augustus: Emperor Claudius had the standing cells made of marble and even gold. Finally, under Emperor Nero’s orders, the channel was filled in to enlarge the arena.

The final race at the Circus Maximus took place in 549 AD, during the reign of Emperor Totila. After that, the era of decline began.

Romans reused stones from ancient structures to build new ones; the remains were gradually covered with soil. In the 19^th century, archaeologists discovered the lower tiers of the Circus at a depth of 6 metres (19 ft 8 in) before the construction of a gasworks on the site.
Today, the Circus Maximus is a vast oval meadow in the heart of Rome. The scale of the surviving ruins – parts of the track, marble standing cells, and stone stands – still impresses modern visitors. This space now serves as a recreational area of significance to the city. It is frequently used for public celebrations, military parades, concerts, and Rome’s birthday festivities.

On 22 June 2014, the only concert of the legendary band The Rolling Stones in Italy during their world tour, which gathered 65,000 rock fans, took place here.

The Legend of the Sabine Women

The ancient Romans believed that the events of the legend of the Sabine women – a story that became one of the most iconic in world culture – took place here in the valley of the Circus Maximus.

During Romulus’s reign, Rome was situated on the Palatine Hill and was powerful enough to dominate the surrounding region. However, there were no women in the city – only soldiers who were unable to start families. After unsuccessful negotiations with neighbouring communities, the cunning Romulus invited them to attend a festival of Neptune Equester in the large valley at the foot of the Palatine.

The Sabines arrived with their wives and children. But during the celebration, the Romans abducted the Sabine women. Their husbands and brothers, outraged, soon laid siege to Rome – but it was the very women at the heart of the conflict who were able to reconcile both sides. Thus began the unification of the various fortified settlements across the seven hills into the ancient and eternal city.

Author: Artur Jakucewicz

I’ve lived in Rome for over a decade and am delighted to share my knowledge and experience. Passionate about ancient history and architecture, I’m the author of travel guides to Italy designed especially for independent travellers.