Light armored vehicles. Russian armored vehicles in the war in Donbass part 4
The Great Circus (Latin Circus Maximus, Italian Circo Massimo - pronounced "Circo Massimo") is a Roman landmark that actually does not exist. Well, that is, almost none. In guidebooks they like to draw pictures of how it looked before, how cool and majestic everything was there, but in fact, almost nothing of this magnificence has survived to ours (only the huge field itself). By the way, they like to classify the Circus Maximus as one of the attractions of the Aventine Hill, while in fact it is located in the lowland between the Aventine and the Palatine.
Nevertheless, the best way to see and appreciate Circo Massimo is by walking along the Aventine Hill. After visiting, say, the Orange Grove and admiring the Magistralnaya Villa, you can go down the winding road:
And get right to the Belvedere of Romulus and Remus: such an observation deck on the slope of the Aventine Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the opposite Palatine Hill and the Circus Maximus itself (in fact, just a field - if you don’t know in advance, you may not understand, that this is some kind of attraction):
By the way, here is a monument to Giuseppe Mazzini, one of the main figures of the Italian Risorgimento (the movement for the national liberation of Italy and liberal reforms):
The monument is facing the field and on the contrary we see something like this; it seems that this very monument is a much more significant attraction, but everything is a little more cunning:
So, the Circus Maximus was the most extensive hippodrome in ancient Rome. Located in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills. It is believed that chariot competitions were first held here by King Tarquinius Priscus (c. 500 BC). The valley between the Palatine and Aventine, 600 m long and about 150 m wide, has since ancient times, due to its position near the most ancient part of the city and the extremely convenient configuration of the area, served as a place for horse riding. It is very likely that the games were given only after the end of the harvest (in 366 BC the ludi Romani were fixed for September). Only in 329 was the start built - lat. carceres - made of wood with variegated colors. There were no permanent buildings at that time; some temporary structures were made of wood. Mentions of the installation of statues, the construction of gates, the installation of an apparatus with eggs for counting rounds (Latin missus), the acquisition of cages for animals, etc. appear after the Punic Wars. Under Caesar, the area of the circus was expanded and a canal (Latin euripus) was dug around the arena. In those days, chariot competitions took place in a straight line - having reached the end of the arena, the chariots turned around and raced in the opposite direction. Later, with the development of Rome's sewer system, a large tunnel (approximately 4.5 meters high and 2.5 meters wide) was built under the arena, resulting in the formation of a "ridge" in the arena over time. Leveling the ground in the arena before each competition cost significant labor, and therefore competitions could no longer be held according to old scheme. The rules of the competition were changed, and the chariots began to travel not in a straight line, but in a ring, going around the “ridge” of the arena. New way the holding of equestrian competitions quickly took root, and since then horse racing began to be held at ring hippodromes:
Julius Caesar expanded the Circus Maximus to 600 meters in length, so that it could accommodate 250 thousand spectators (another number could watch the competitions while standing). In the middle of the short and semicircular side of the described arena fence there was a gate through which the winners of the races left the Circus (lat. porta triumphalis). At the opposite end of the arena there were three towers (lat. oppida); in the middle there was also a gate that served for the entry of chariots into the Circus (lat. porta pompae); Between it and the side towers there was built, on the right and left, a row of stalls (lat. carceres) for chariots and horses, located in an arc of a circle. In the middle of the arena stretched a long and narrow platform (lat. spina) with semicircles at both ends and cone-shaped pillars (lat. metae) standing on them. This platform was decorated first with one and then with two obelisks; both of them survived and are preserved to this day; the first, taken from Egypt and erected by Augustus, now stands on Piazza del Popolo; the second, even larger one, erected by Constantine the Great, was moved in 1588 to the square in front of the Lateran Palace. In addition to the obelisks, on the platform in two places there were placed on small pedestals (no doubt in honor of the patron of the lists of Neptune Eqnestris) seven sculptures of dolphins spewing water into small pools, and separately from these figures, on special stands, seven balls (lat. .ova):
The Circus Maximus owes its permanent architectural form to Augustus. A number of seats on the nearest steps were reserved for senators and equestrians; spectators were admitted on the basis of special, unnumbered bronze ticket stamps. The description of Dionysius of Halicarnassus dates back to this time. According to this description, the lower floor of the places for spectacles was stone, the upper two were wooden; the outer arcades were one-story, they housed shops, taverns, etc. The Carceres were a portico with twelve arches for the gate and a middle portal. Claudius created marble carceres and gilded metae; Nero in 63 ordered the Caesar Canal to be filled in to give more space riders The fire of '64 probably destroyed only the wooden parts; In 1968, the circus again held luxurious celebrations. In 81, Titus built a magnificent gate on the southern short side of the circus:
An era in the life of the circus was the reign of Trajan, who expanded the seats for spectators to a very significant extent, partly on the site of the imperial box built by Domitian, and now destroyed. Domitian paved the road from the circus to his palace. And after Trajan, a significant part of the places were entirely wooden, as shown by repeated cases of collapses that cost the lives of thousands of spectators. Under Constantine, the circus was thoroughly restored; spina was decorated with a new obelisk taken from Heliopolis:
As early as the 6th century, Theodoric supported the circus; latest games given by Totila in 549. The most massive circus structure - the Arch of Titus - stood until the 12th century. In the Middle Ages, the stone structures of the circus were dismantled for the construction of new buildings and, in general, practically nothing from the ancient buildings was preserved (now some small jobs archaeological evidence, but in essence it is a wasteland):
A small part of the surviving buildings of the Circus Maximus can be seen from the Viale Aventino (the main street of the Aventine Hill, in fact, if you move from the Flavian Amphitheater towards the Aventine, it will be along this road):
If you go down from the Orange Grove to the monument to Giuseppe Mazzini, then you can just get to the center of the former hippodrome, from here it is easier to appreciate its scale (imagining that all this was built up - pictures-reconstructions can be found in any guidebooks). From here it opens good view to the opposite Palatine Hill:
Another view of the Circo Massimo (in my opinion, the most picturesque) can be obtained if you approach the field from the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin (yes, that’s where the Mouth of Truth is):
And yes, despite the fact that now the territory of Circus Maximus is essentially the historical center of the city, this territory is not being built up in any way - in memory of the former majestic landmark. By the way, various large public events (for example, rock concerts) are held here. In general, it’s just a huge field as a reminder of past greatness
The Great Circus (Circus Maximus or Circo Massimo/Circus Maximus or Circo Massimo) is the largest hippodrome in ancient Rome, located in the center of the historical part of Rome, on the left bank of the Tiber River, in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills, within walking distance of such famous attractions as well as the Roman Forum.
The Great Circus was the most big first hippodrome and stadium of ancient Rome. Nowadays, it is among the ten most visited historical sites demonstrating its former power Ancient Rome.
How the Circus Maximus was previously used in Rome
In ancient Rome, the hippodrome was used for its intended purpose; chariot competitions and other events were held in the Circus Maximus arena. public events. It was famous place for equestrian competitions - equestrian competitions (ludi Romani). 12 chariots could simultaneously take part in competitions at the hippodrome. It is believed that chariot competitions were first held here by King Tarquinius Priscus, and this is no less, but in 500 BC.
Along the arena different heights Seating was provided for several thousand spectators, including seats for honored guests. All seats for spectators were divided into several ranks, those closer to the arena were intended for the nobility, those further away were for everyone else who wanted to watch the races. There were trading stalls in the outer stands.
The Great Circus at present
Currently, the Circus Maximus in Rome, the description of which could take more than one page, has turned into ruins. This place is used as park area. Ruins and a walking park are all that remains of the once famous and grandiose structure, the ancient Roman hippodrome.
But even today, these remains are stunning in their grandeur and grandeur. In those distant times, at the dawn of its existence, the Circus Maximus in Rome was an elongated structure, oval shape, this is visible even now. The central and main part of this structure was occupied by the arena, where equestrian competitions took place. On one side of the arena, three towers with gates were installed for the entry of competition participants. Horse stalls were also located here. On the opposite side there was another gate intended for the ceremonial departure of the winners.
Just imagine those ancient times, a grandiose building, a huge stadium, the spectators' dreams are packed to capacity, the arena is decorated with painted chariots, and the guests rejoice and applaud. But all this remains in the distant past; today we can only see part of the ruins of the structure and a shallow hole in the middle.
Nowadays tourists stroll through the former Roman arena, locals relax in the shade of the trees, and young people use the hippodrome for street football competitions. From time to time, concerts and public events are held in the former Circus Maximus arena.
How to get to the Circus Maximus in Rome
The Circus Maximus is located in Rome, in the area of Via del Circo Massimo, 00186 Roma Italy.
The Roman Hippodrome can be reached on foot, just 5 minutes from the Roman Forum (Foro Romano) and (Colosseo).
You can take the metro and get to Circo Massimo station (line B), this will be the most convenient. You can also get there by buses No. 60, 81, 75, 160 and 175 or tram No. 3.
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In the valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills, later known as the “Circus Maximus” (lat. Circus Maximus). Tarquinius the Proud somewhat changed the location of this structure and increased the number of seats for spectators, Julius Caesar significantly expanded it, and Nero, after the famous fire that devastated Rome, built the Great Circus again with greater luxury than before; Trajan and Domitian improved it even more, and even Constantine and his son, Constantius, took care of its decoration. The last races in it took place in 549. Thus, it lasted for six centuries, and its history is closely related to the history of Rome and the Roman Empire. Its location was similar to the ancient Greek hippodromes. The Circus arena after its reconstruction by Julius Caesar was 640 m long and 130 m wide. On three sides, one short and semicircular and two side long, it was surrounded by numerous tiers of seats resting on the vaults, arranged one above the other (lat. moeniana), above which towered pavilions and galleries with columns. Lower tier, lying directly above the rather high base of the structure (lat. podium), was appointed for senators; During the time of the emperors, there was their tribune (lat. pulvinar). The next tier could only be occupied by horsemen, and the remaining tiers were provided for people of other classes. WITH outside this entire part of the structure consisted of arcades and colonnades, from under which one could make one’s way along many stairs to the seats for spectators. The huge structure had no roof, but the spectators could be protected from the sun by a canvas stretched over them.
Following the model of the oldest Roman circus, the “Circus Maximus,” others were built, both in Rome itself and in its provinces, in which at the end of the empire there was not a single more or less significant city that could do without a building of this kind. In Rome, in addition to the “Great Circus,” there were three more: built in 220 BC. e. to the west of the Capitol is the Circus of Flaminius, in which Augustus once gave the people a performance of a crocodile hunt, in the midst of an arena filled with water; The Circus of Nero (also called the Circus of Caligula and the Vatican), began construction under Caligula, completed by Nero and known in history mainly as a place of cruel torture to which the second of the named emperors subjected Christians; Circus of Caracalla, built, however, not under him, but a century later under Romulus, son of Maxentius, and important for archaeologists in that its significant ruins, located behind the former Capena Gate (behind the current Porta San Sebastiano), make it possible to study the structure of Roman circuses . But the remains of a circus discovered in the city in the area of ancient Bovill, a small town at the foot of the Alban Mountains, on the Appian Way, can serve this purpose even better. This circus is not large, but it is a typical example of Roman circuses and is relatively well preserved.
Chronology
Games
Horse racing in the Roman circus. Painting by Kuhn, 1913
The almost complete destruction of the church is explained both by the fact that the squares of seats were an excellent material for buildings, and by the fact that only a smaller part of the church was made of stone. Nevertheless, even in this state of destruction, we can form an idea of both the plan of the circus and its interior decoration - the first, both on the basis of excavations and, especially, on the basis of the famous Severovsky plan of Rome, from which a piece depicting the southern part has been preserved C. Based on this fragment and the size of the valley, one can calculate approximately the dimensions of the C. The length of the building is 635 m, width. 150 m, arena length 590 m, width. 80 m. Guided by these dimensions, you can check the authors’ instructions on the capacity of the C.: it is very possible that under Augustus the number of seats reached approx. 150,000, and by the time of Constantine it had increased to approx. up to 200,000. The interior decoration of the Circus can be judged on the basis of a number of Roman monuments (reliefs, coins, mosaics) and especially on the basis of a mosaic found in Barcelona depicting circus performances. The details of the image are almost similar to those on Roman monuments. On the spina are depicted here, in addition to counting devices and an obelisk, a number of sanctuaries, columns with statues of Victoria, a statue of the Great Mother of the Gods (riding a lion), military banners, in addition a number of athletes and animals - perhaps statues symbolizing those games that were given in Ts. in addition to ristania. On other monuments we see, in addition, the sanctuary of the three gods, the altar, trophies with captives (cf. connected people on the Barcelona mosaic), etc. The main spectacle that gathered people in Central Asia was chariot racing (in addition to these, races, athletic fights, animal fights, and exercises on horseback are also mentioned). Initially these races were integral part religious and political celebrations that accompanied the return of the army from the campaign, which affects, in the form of a relic, the pompa by which chariot competitions were introduced. This pompa had the character of a triumph, with a religious lining. She solemnly walked from the Capitol through the forum and the cattle market and entered the southern gate of the C. At the head walked or rode (if it was a praetor or consul) the magistrate, who gave games, in triumphal clothes (a toga embroidered with gold and a tunic decorated with palm trees embroidered on it ), holding in his hand a scepter decorated with an eagle; Behind him stood or walked a public servant who crowned him with a golden oak crown. Music was blaring ahead, and the magistrate was surrounded by his children, friends and clients. Behind him they carried and carried statues of gods, and subsequently of deified emperors, starting with Julius Caesar. After this introductory act, very long and very pedantic, the games began. At the same time, the gates opened and usually 4, sometimes more (6, 8, 12, depending on the number of parties and chariots of each party) chariots, in pairs or more often in fours, flew into the arena. The run began to the right of the mark and ended at a place on the opposite side, marked with a white line, after running around the spina seven times. The number of races was not always the same: it started with 10 or 12, but the further, the more their number increased, and in imperial times it reached 24 or even 36, which filled the entire day from morning to evening. Each race lasted no more than a quarter of an hour. During the race, the drivers used all sorts of means to get the first prize - means that led to the development of a special technical racing jargon, in which inscriptions were written in honor or memory of the drivers. Particularly dangerous was going around the marks, to which everyone tried to stay close; everything depended on the endurance and agility of the leftmost horse. Accidents were quite common; a light two-wheeler, open at the back, was easy to break with the strength and speed of four horses; Almost all images of horse races show, in a certain pattern, out of four competing chariots, one is broken. The prize consisted of a wreath and a certain sum of money; Both second and third prizes were given.
Circus parties
The supply of horses and drivers initially came from the state and was farmed out by magistrates. The further, the larger the magistrates' surcharges became, and the supply business was organized in two large enterprises, maybe subsidized by the government. These enterprises maintained stables, horses, driver personnel, schools for drivers, horses were ridden, etc. Technical name these enterprises were factio; the chief manager was named dommus factionis. The factiones differed in color. Two companies of Republican times dressed their riders, one in white, the other in red, and therefore bore the name: one - russata, the other - albata. In probably imperial times, these two were joined by blue and green (lat. factiones veneta And prasina); temporarily under Domitian there were also gold and purple (lat. purpureus pannus And auratus pannus). Of these parties, only the Blues and Greens played a prominent role in imperial times; all the interest of the visitors of the Church was concentrated around them. The interest in horses, in the drivers, the excitement of betting - all this, inflated by the participation of the upper strata of society right up to the emperor, led to the fact that the interests of the Church were vital and keenest interests Rome. Interest was concentrated on the permanent carriers of certain advantages - companies, suppliers of horses and drivers - and was inflated by the companies themselves; the viewer became accustomed to assimilating the interests of the company, and thus the result was a passionate participation in the fate not of the horse or driver, but of the party. The passion reached the point of fights and battles; influential people one party tried to harm another; The emperors themselves spent a lot of time in the stables of their favorite party and supported it with the power of their power to the detriment of the other. With the decline of culture, passion reaches its apogee at the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Partisanship supported interest in the bearers of the party's glory - the drivers and horses, especially drivers, since victory depended most on their dexterity.
Roman circus professionals
Specialization has driven out amateurs from Central Asia; hand in hand with it came the development of the concept of its inappropriateness as a craft for the Roman aristocracy. From time immemorial chariots of young men were driven to the circus noble families; they, while they were still pueri, showed there high school ride in a series of complex military evolutions, taking part in the so-called. lusus Troiae. IN last centuries In the republic, all this went out of fashion; Caesar and Augustus, in their desire to fight the effeminacy of society and caste prejudices, had to forcibly reintroduce the old customs. They forced noble youth to race in chariots, perform in both children's and adolescence in a series of military exercises in front of the public ( ludi sevirales: participants are riders who have just donned toga virilis; lusus Traiae: participants are children of the best senatorial families). The educational goals of Caesar and Augustus were replaced by the passionate passion of C. Caligula and Nero: not an exercise physical strength and the fight against prejudice, and sport itself, the love of successes, visible and noisy in this area, guided especially Nero and his later imitators. The glory of the charioteers and their popularity did not allow emperors like Nero to sleep. But no matter how the passion for horse racing grew in society, circus coachmen from society were still an exception: professionals set the tone in the C. The development of technology and skillful training, in connection with special abilities, produced artists who won several thousand times and made colossal fortunes for themselves from prizes and special payments from the party and employers. Their names thundered everywhere; everyone knew Scorpus or Diocletus, and a number of inscriptions tell us them in detail circus career. The drivers began their careers very young, which was largely due to the requirement from them to be as light as possible. The majority ended their lives violently early; only a few, having made a fortune for themselves, retired. The very costume of the drivers indicated the danger of their profession: they were wrapped with belts over the tunic, they wore a smooth leather cap on their heads, their feet, right down to the sandals, were also wrapped with belts, all this - to protect the body from blows if possible and so as not to have such a thing on the whole body. clothes that could catch on something or hang on to. The reins were tied to the driver's waist so that he could drive with one hand and hold a whip in the other; A curved knife hung from the belt to cut the reins in case of a fall. The drivers were very superstitious. Amulets covered the entire harness of horses; the drivers themselves wore them on their bodies. In the tombs of Carthage and the Appian Way, many lead letters were found to the underground gods - letters that the dead man was supposed to deliver to their destination: the charioteers here entrusted each other to the attention of the underground gods, inviting them to send all sorts of circus misfortunes to the enemy.
Horses
Horses also aroused great interest. Everyone knew the famous leftists (lat. funales), who won hundreds of times. Spain, Africa, Italy, Greece, Cappadocia competed with the height of blood and racing qualities of their horse breeding plants. The consumption and demand for horses was enormous; horse studs apparently provided large breeders with good income. Especially large enterprises of this kind have created the wonderful pastures of Africa; Many mosaics have been preserved, testifying to the love for horses, interest in them and the prevalence of horse breeding in this Roman province. Each horse had its own name and its own genealogy; hundreds of names are conveyed to us by various monuments, from mosaics to lead entrance tickets-tesserae. The winning horses celebrated real triumphs on their way to their stables.
Social influence
These were the elements from which it was composed circus life. Both Rome and the provinces lived this life equally passionately. Antioch or Lyon were not inferior in this regard to Carthage and Corinth. People in Rome might not have known how the war with the Germans or Parthians ended, but everyone knew who won on the last circus day - the blue ones or the green ones.
Italy is filled with the beauty of ruined majestic buildings, many of them in its capital. Special attention deserves the Circus Maximus in Rome, the ruins of which are located between two hills: the Aventine and the Palatine. It inspires sincere amazement, since its area is truly huge.
History of creation
Circo Massimo, as the Romans call it, comes from the Latin name of a place for equestrian competitions. The first word is circle, and the second is a derivative of big.
At first, grain was grown in this area, and sometimes, after it was harvested, amateur horse and chariot competitions were held. According to some historical data, even the first king of Rome, Romulus, took part in them.
This piece of land measuring 600×150 meters began its history as the Circus Maximus in the 6th century BC. e. The fifth king, Tarquinius Priscus, wanted to organize a large-scale lists at this place - an equestrian competition. At the same time, he completely refurbished the allocated area, replacing wooden trestles for spectators with covered seats, and installing them around the perimeter of the arena.
Until the 2nd century BC. e. The competition was held in a straight line, but then a water supply was laid through the hippodrome, after which it fell asleep, a hill appeared in the middle of the arena and had to be driven around. Because of him, the chariots began to drive in circles.
The hippodrome occupied most buildings, because competitions were held on it. On one side there were gates for the entry of competition participants; three towers and stalls for horses participating in the race were installed near them. On the other side of the arena there was a gracefully executed large gate for the entry of triumphants who had won serious battles, so that they could perform their lap of honor.
After the reconstruction of the Circus Maximus under Julius Caesar, its area increased, and there were also more seats for spectators. Even if we compare modern large circuses and stadiums, their size is much smaller than the area of this ancient structure.
Then, over the course of several hundred years, each ruler of Rome made his own adjustments to the architecture of the building, but until 103 it remained wooden. So far, after three severe fires, King Trajan rebuilt it into a three-story stone structure. The first floor was made of marble.
The last horse mass competition held in 549. After him, the circus, like the Roman Empire itself, began to decline. It simply stood unchanged for some time, and then its tiers began to collapse and local residents began to dismantle this huge structure into stones in order to build housing for themselves, and they were also used to build no less grandiose buildings in the Renaissance.
Our days
In the 19th century, a gas plant began to be built on the site of the Circus Maximus and the lower rows of the ancient structure were discovered at a depth of 6 meters.
Today, tourists can see an oval clearing at this place, along the perimeter of which there are marble punishment cells, stone stands and small sections of preserved paved paths. Its ruins are now used as a walking park.
In the ancient Roman arena you can walk and take photos against the backdrop of huge stone ruins, sit in the shade of old trees and play football with the local guys. A small section of the huge racecourse is used for football matches, concerts and community events.
Rome Day is constantly celebrated in the Circus Maximus arena.
In 2014, the legendary rock band the Rolling Stones performed there, giving their only concert in Italy as part of their world tour. More than 65 thousand fans of the group fit into a small part of the ancient hippodrome.
How to get there?
The Circus Maximus is located next to Via del Circo Massimo, which can be reached in five minutes on foot from the Colosseum or the Roman Forum.
From the Palatine Hill, near which it is located, a staircase called Scalae Caci (Caca) leads to the circus.
From other places you can get to it by metro. You need to take line B and get to Circo Massimo station.
Also, tram number 3 and buses number 60, 75, 81, 170 and 160 go to the circus.
The ruins of the Circus Maximus are just as worth visiting as the Colosseum. The sight of this grandiose structure is breathtaking; if you imagine it in all its ancient glory, you can understand what the dawn of the Roman Empire was like and the scope of plans for expanding its borders by the rulers of Rome.
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The Colosseum was not the largest February 6th, 2017
When we hear or see in movies about entertainment in Rome, the Colosseum and gladiator fights immediately come to mind. The majestic image of the huge structure has been used in films more than once. However, the most popular place was not this arena.
Imagine, if the Colosseum accommodated 50 thousand people, then in the stands of this building there was enough space for 250 thousand spectators. The whole city flocked to watch the spectacular chariot races. In no other place was it possible to entertain more people than here.
Let's find out what kind of place this was in Rome...
Photo 2.
Circus Maximus or Great Circus is one of the largest and most spacious hippodromes (600 by 150 m) built in Ancient Rome.
The circus was located between the Aventine and Palatine hills, its field was so large and vast that for the first time in the history of Italy, 12 chariots competed in the arena at the same time.
According to historians, the initiator of its creation was Tarquinius Priscus, the king who ruled Ancient Rome in the 6th century BC. He chose for construction the Murcia Valley, now better known as the hollow between the Palatine and Aventine hills. This area is closely associated with a number of legends. One of them tells about the abduction of the Sabine women, the other is dedicated to episodes from the life of Hercules
Photo 3.
Initially, the circus did not include any other buildings; only during the competitions held after the harvest, a stage and temporary seats were installed here. During the rest of the year, the circus served as a place for agricultural work.
Later, sanctuaries of the gods were installed at the hippodrome: the altar of Kons, the sanctuary of the triad of Sey, Segetey, Tutilin, which survived even after the construction of the main buildings of the circus.
Photo 4.
In 329, the construction of the main buildings began: the start, statues, gates, meters, a machine with eggs for counting, a canal was also built and the area of the circus was increased.
Times have changed, the rules of competitions have changed. Chariots, which initially drove exclusively in a straight line, began to compete along the ring, in connection with the construction of sewerage here. Subsequently, this seemingly “everyday” experiment turned into a tradition.
After Julius Caesar came to power, the circus expanded more and more, accommodating up to half a million standing and seated spectators. Circus Maximus was experiencing his better times, becoming more and more comfortable day by day: special gates were installed here for the exit of the winners, three towers, stalls, and obelisks were built.
Photo 5.
Particular attention in this list is given to the oldest obelisks, which preceded the circus itself in birth. The first of them was taken from Egypt and is now located in Piazza del Popolo, the second - in the square of the Lateran Palace.
The builders did not limit themselves to just functional buildings, erecting on the territory of the circus a sculptural complex with dolphins, pools and balls, dedicated to Neptune, the mythological god of the seas and streams.
Photo 6.
After completion of construction Big Circus took over in Rome huge territory. The ancient Roman nobility had the opportunity to witness competitions in which more than 10 chariots simultaneously took part. Initially, all the structural elements of the circus were wooden. For this reason, fires have broken out here more than once. After another destruction, the Roman hippodrome was restored by Julius Caesar. He approached the solution of the problem with his characteristic scope. The results of his work can still be seen today.
Photo 7.
Competitions at the hippodrome took place 50 times a year for many centuries. In addition to equestrian competitions, large-scale performances and battles with wild animals were organized here. The last event held at the hippodrome dates back to 549. In subsequent years of the Middle Ages, the stone structures of the hippodrome were partially dismantled, using this material for other needs.
Circus Maximus in Rome became the birthplace of many traditions. For example, if chariot competitions initially took place only in a straight line, then the sewer tunnel, built under the arena and deforming it, led to a forced change in the straight “route”, making it circular.
Photo 8.
Throughout its active existence, the hippodrome of Ancient Rome was constantly improved. It experienced the most significant transformations in the period close to 46 BC. Among other things, the area of the arena was significantly increased - its length reached 600 meters. All stands were made of stone and could accommodate about 300 thousand spectators.
In its heyday, the Circus Maximus in Rome was an elongated structure, the central and main part of which was occupied by the arena. On one side of it, 3 towers with gates were installed for the entry of competition participants. Horse stalls were also located here. On the opposite side there was another gate intended for the ceremonial departure of the winners.
There was a narrow platform in the middle of the arena, which was decorated with obelisks brought from Egypt. Currently, to see them, you need to visit the People's Square and the Lateran Palace Square. In addition to the obelisks, the platform housed a number of sculptural compositions. The structure included pools and sanctuaries of the gods.
After the cessation of the games at the Great Circus, a sad period of destruction began here. The stone structures of the circus attracted developers from all over Rome, who dismantled them to build new buildings.
Photo 9.
Seats for spectators were divided into several ranks - those closest to the arena were intended for the nobility, and various benches were located on the outer stands. Unfortunately, the Circus Maximus in Rome, the description of which could take more than one page, has turned into ruins. But even they amaze with their grandeur and grandeur.
The immediate surroundings of the hippodrome are the place where archaeologists work, because the main part of the structure has already been covered with a thick layer of earth. Every year, new artifacts are found at excavations, revealing pages of the centuries-old history of the legendary structure.
The Arena Circus Maximus is still the largest in Italy and the oldest in the world. Today it is a place of pilgrimage for thousands of tourists who receive unique opportunity touch the origins of civilization. And today, the greatest hippodrome of Ancient Rome still attracts many spectators. But they come here not to evaluate the capabilities of the horses, but to see the performances of world stars and take part in the most interesting public events.
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Circus Maximus is located in Rome, in the Via del Circo Massimo area. To get there by public transport, you can use:
by bus numbers: 60, 81, 75, 160 and 175.
Tram number 3 also goes here.
But the most convenient way would be to take the metro train line B and get to the Circo Massimo station, and then walk a little, following the recommendations of the road signs.
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