ROMAN CHARIOTS Learners will identify major facts about the circus and races by taking notes and answering questions

Circus Maximus Main stage of chariot racing Situated between the Palatine and Aventine hills. Hold up to 10 chariots  Seat between 150,000 and 180,000 people.  Length of 650 meters  More open at one end

Free seats for poor, cheap shaded seats for wealthy Only place the emperor showed himself to the masses Pulvinar or Imperial Box Dates back to beginning of Rome but supposedly rebuilt by Julius Caesar.

Quadrigae (4 horse) and Bigae (2 horse) chariots and races Up to ten horses Lots of skill, but impractical Romans wrapped reins around waist Used a falx (knife) to cut reins in a crash Helmets and other protective gear Chariot Racing

Riders would often gang up on others to gain good position and often caused crashes. Aurigae, although slaves, are considered the winners. Could eventually buy their freedom with their winnings Low life expectancy of racers as well as horses Could become famous (horses too) Statistics kept for racers and horses Famous slave Scorpus, won over 2000 races. But was killed in a collision. Age 27.

Mappa is dropped to start the race It was money oriented Racers were paid Lots of betting  Carceres or gates for the start  Started up the angled side of the track  Median or Spina  Meta or turning point  Great crashes  Eggs or dolphins used to mark laps

Drivers were color coded Factions. Originally Red and White. Later added Green and Blue. Teams could have up to 3 chariots in a race Teams would collaborate against others Drivers could be traded or switch teams Blues and Greens become more prestigious. Red and White are rarely mentioned in the surviving literature Fans were sometimes crazy about their teams

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