Like many other Roman contests, these often became violent and brutal. Chariot racing took place at the magnificent Circus Maximus (shown below) which supposedly held between 150,000 and 250,000 spectators (larger than any US arena today!).
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Roman Sport - Chariot Racing
Another popular sporting spectacle in ancient Rome was Chariot Racing.
Like many other Roman contests, these often became violent and brutal. Chariot racing took place at the magnificent Circus Maximus (shown below) which supposedly held between 150,000 and 250,000 spectators (larger than any US arena today!).
Like many other Roman contests, these often became violent and brutal. Chariot racing took place at the magnificent Circus Maximus (shown below) which supposedly held between 150,000 and 250,000 spectators (larger than any US arena today!).
Gladiator Battles
Yes ... Gladiator battles (of various forms) are the most well-known of the ancient Roman spectacles. Click on the site for more information.
Pictures below are from the 2ooo film Gladiator starring Russell Crowe ... worth seeing if you haven't done so (Crowe is also in a better sports movie that we will discuss later in the semester).
Pictures below are from the 2ooo film Gladiator starring Russell Crowe ... worth seeing if you haven't done so (Crowe is also in a better sports movie that we will discuss later in the semester).
Roman Sporting Spectacles
Ancient Roman "sport" differed greatly from the sporting practices of the Greeks.
Rather than focusing on competition and participation like the Greeks ... everyday Romans were more apt to attend and watch contests. These contests eventually became large spectacles with grand facilities (also different than the modest Greek stadium) such as coliseums which often seated upwards of 50,000 spectators ... pictures of the Coliseum in Rome are below.
Click for an introduction to the most well-known Roman spectacle.
Rather than focusing on competition and participation like the Greeks ... everyday Romans were more apt to attend and watch contests. These contests eventually became large spectacles with grand facilities (also different than the modest Greek stadium) such as coliseums which often seated upwards of 50,000 spectators ... pictures of the Coliseum in Rome are below.
Click for an introduction to the most well-known Roman spectacle.
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