PR-2237IRE Ancient Rome

Roman Life – Entertainment
Circuses (The word ‘circus’ comes from the Greek word ‘kirkos’
meaning a circle—perhaps the shape of a race track.)
A chariot called a ‘biga’ was pulled by two horses, and one pulled by four horses was a ‘quadriga’.
(Point out the Latin prefixes ‘bi’ and ‘quad’.) The chariots had spoked wheels and were beautifully
decorated. A chariot which lost its rider could still be declared the winner if it crossed the winning
line first. Chariot racing was very expensive so it was run as a profitable business. Though chariot
races were fast and required skill, the Romans didn’t use chariots in battle. Like modern sporting teams, there
was great rivalry among the supporters of the four chariot teams, which sometimes led to violence. At one circus
in the eastern part of the Empire, thousands were killed when supporters rioted. Charioteers wore leather protective
clothing in case their chariots overturned. Many drivers were slaves and some could earn sufficient money to
buy their freedom if they were successful.
Circus buildings were similar in construction to the Greek hippodromes, but archaeologists are not certain that
the Roman circuses were developed from the Greek structures. Though athletes sometimes raced in circuses
where a town had no stadium, Roman stadiums were purpose-built to hold athletics meetings and wrestling.
Consus, a god of granaries, had an underground altar in the Circus Maximus which was uncovered during the
god’s festivals in August and December. During the April festival for Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, foxes with
burning branches tied to their tails were let loose in the Circus Maximus—so it appears these predators were as
much trouble to farmers in ancient Rome as they are today!
TEACHERS
N OTE
‘If it were the speed of the horses or the skill of the drivers that attracted the spectators, there would be
some point to it. But it’s only the colours worn by the drivers they go to see.’
Roman nobleman’s comments on the circus races.
Viewing Sample
– 48 – Ancient Rome Prim-Ed Publishing www.prim-ed.com