![roman chariot races roman chariot races](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KjXP-wstrUY/maxresdefault.jpg)
The carriage took place in a standing position.
![roman chariot races roman chariot races](http://jerashchariots.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/depositphotos_45711959-stock-photo-roman-chariots-e1542099913667.jpg)
Interestingly, in Rome, the exchange of players was also popular, as players now move to other clubs. During the race, in order not to let the reins go, they tied them up (and that’s why they always wore knives so that they could cut the reins in the event of an accident – which did not always work).ĭuring the races, there was often cooperation between individual teams to push one of the coachmen onto a spin. It happened, however, that some impoverished citizens decided on this path to gain wealth and fame. Most of the coachmen were recruited from slaves. They have often won a great fortune and worship of Roman women.
#Roman chariot races drivers#
The best drivers were great stars in Rome. Mosaic from the 3rd century CE showing a coachman with a horse. Importantly, each team had a maximum of three teams for each race.
![roman chariot races roman chariot races](https://www.italymagazine.com/sites/default/files/feature-story/gallery/chariot.jpg)
The viewer who thought that the race should be repeated got up and waved his gown or tunic – when the majority did, the race was interrupted and repeated. Due to the colour of the carriage drivers’ tunes, parties were formed among the audience, whose members often behaved similarly to modern football fans. Certainly, the most popular factions were the Blues and Greens – supported by the Emperor’s entourage – as evidenced by the small number of sources regarding Red and White.īut where exactly did these colours represent the teams? In the third century CE, Tertullian mentioned that the Reds were consecrated to Mars, the White Marshmallow, the Greens to Mother Earth or spring, and the Blue to sky and sea or autumn 1.Īs a curiosity, it is worth mentioning that the admirer of green was emperor Caligula, who spent hours sitting in their stables. In the times of Domitian, two additional teams were introduced: Purple and Gold but soon after his death in 96 CE, they disappeared. In ancient Rome, four fan clubs were classically distinguished: Red ( russata), Green ( prasina), White ( albata) and Blue ( veneta). The fans were divided into specific factions ( factiones), depending on the colours. There is only the enormous terrace that keeps the form that it had in its day, which often causes disappointment for tourists who visit it hoping to find at least the ruins of the precinct.In addition to gladiatorial fights, the Romans also loved horse racing. The importance of using your imaginationĬurrently, the ruins of what was once the Circus Maximus barely remain. The spectators would bet on the winners, making the competitions even more exciting. There were also foot races that lasted for several hours. These were a simulation of various famous battles carried out by young Roman aristocrats. The competitors, mounted in small chariots drawn by horses, gambled much more than their prestige or large prizes in the races, since many of them were slaves fighting for their liberty.ĭuring the public games, equestrian exhibitions, known as "Ludus Troiae", also took place. In the Circus Maximus several competitions were carried out, standing out among them chariot races, in which participants tried to complete seven laps of the Circus Maximus. The arena, which measured 600 meters in length and 225 meters in width, made the Circus Maximus the largest in Rome, ahead of the Circus of Flaminius and the Circus of Maxentius. The Circus Maximus in Rome (Circo Massimo), located between the Aventino and Palatine Hills, was an extended precinct with space for 300,000 spectators. They were extended precincts in which the public games were held, consisting of chariot races and different spectacles. Roman circuses were the most important centres of entertainment in the Roman cities, apart from the theatres and amphitheatres. Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins