Circo Massimo (Latin Circus Maximus) - the most extensive racetrack in Ancient Rome, Italy, located in the valley between Aventino and Palatine. The competition on the racetrack could simultaneously participate twelve chariots. According to legend, this point was the place of kidnapping Sabine women.
Itâs believed that the chariot races were first held here by king Tarquins Prisco (c. 500 BC). The valley between the Palatine and the Aventino, the length of 600 and a width of about 150 m from ancient times, because of its position in the oldest part of town and very convenient configuration area, a place of horse racing related to ancient Rome, games (ludi Romani). To 329 BC. er. of devices for the races at this point not mentioned, but there was the arena and temporary seats for honored visitors.
In those days, race chariots were on the line - reaching the end, chariot unfolded and raced in the opposite direction. Later, with development of the sewerage system of Rome, under the scene was laid a large tunnel (approximately 4.5 meters in height and 2.5 meters in width). arena got something like ridge and so the competition couldnât be conducted under the old scheme. Competition rules were changed: the chariots were driving in a ring, skirting the "ridge". A new way to conduct horse racing quickly caught on, and since then the horse races are conducted on circular racetracks.
Julius Caesar expanded the Circus Big up to 600 meters in length, so that it could accommodate 250,000 spectators (as much again to observe the competition standing). In the middle of the short sides and semicircular described fencing arena were the gates through which went from the circus winners at the races (Latin porta triumphalis).By the middle of the arena ran long and narrow platform (Latin spina) with semicircles at each end and stand on them cone-shaped columns (Latin metae). The platform was decorated with first one and then two obelisks, both of whom survived and survived to this day. The first, brought out of Egypt, hoisted by Augustus, stands now in the Piazza del Popolo, the second, even more, delivered by Constantine the Great, was rescheduled in 1588 on the square in front of the Lateran Palace.
Its permanent architectural form Big Circus obliged August. Number of seats on the next steps were given to senators and horsemen (second class of nobility of Rome); spectators allowed on the basis of specific unnumbered bronze stamp-tickets.
In Medieval stone buildings were demolished in the circus building new buildings. Nevertheless, the territory of the circus was never fully built up, and still is held social events (fo example, rock concerts). Also in the circus you can see the remains of stables, which are readily photographed by tourists.
With Great marked the beginning of tradition, without which itâs simply impossible to imagine modern world. The fact that participated in the competitions quadriga (a chariot drawn by four horses), and uniform driver equestrian clubs painted a certain color. First there were four colours - white, green, red and blue. Subsequently, the emperor Domitian added two more - yellow and purple. For team specific colors hurt whole families, and in the days of horse racing the whole city was divided into fans of "red" or "blue". For example, the emperor Caligula "sick" for green, and so seriously that he even ate and slept in the stables. So there was a tradition of rooting for a sports team and remain faithful to its color.
