Circus Maximus Analysis Essay Example

the closed East end (not to be confused with the Arch of Titus over the Via Sacra on the opposite side of the Palatinum). The emperor Domitian connected his new palace on the Palatine to the Circus to view the races more easily. The emperor Trajan later added another 5000 seats, and expanded the emperor's seating to increase his public visibility during the games. In 140AD a collapse of the upper tier caused the death of 1,112 spectators. It remains the deadliest sports-related disaster to date[3].

Chariot racing was the most important event at the Circus. The track could hold twelve chariots, and the two sides of the track were separated by a raised median called the "spina". The spina was set slightly diagonally. Statues of various gods were set up on the spina, and Augustus erected an Egyptian obelisk on it as well. At either end of the spina was a turning post called a "meta", around which chariots made turns at dangerous speeds. On the spina, there were rotatable metal dolphins that were turned down to mark laps around the course.

Chariot racing was an extremely dangerous sport, frequently resulting in spectacular crashes and the death of one or more of the contestants. One end of the track extended further back than the other, to allow the chariots to line up to begin the race. Here there were starting gates, or "carceres", which staggered the chariots so that each traveled the same distance to the first turn. During these chariot races, bribery of the judge in order to fix the start of the race was very common. The race went for a total distance of

about 6. 5 km (4 miles). Prostitution was popular along the gates of Circus Maximus.