What was a danger of the chariot races in the Circus Maximus?

Races were rough and raucous – they lasted seven laps and would include as many as 12 chariots at any one time. To be as fast as possible, the chariots had to be very light, which made them very dangerous for their drivers, who were usually slaves or freedmen.

What was Roman chariot racing called?

Circus Maximus
They were the main events of the Roman public games (ludi publici) that took place at the Circus Maximus. From four to six chariots competed in a single race, normally consisting of seven laps around the circus.

What did the Romans use Circus Maximus for?

chariot racetrack
The Circus Maximus was a chariot racetrack in Rome constructed in the 6th century BCE. Used for other events such as the Roman Games and gladiator fights, it last hosted chariot races in the 6th century.

Where was the Circus Maximus located in Rome?

Circus Maximus. The Circus Maximus (Latin for greatest or largest circus; Italian: Circo Massimo) is an ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium and mass entertainment venue located in Rome, Italy. Situated in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine Hills, it was the first and largest stadium in ancient Rome and its later Empire.

Where did chariot racing take place in ancient Rome?

The Romans, in their inimitable fashion, took this habit and turned it into the most popular of the mass entertainment staged spectacles in ancient Rome. The circus was a specific arena, shaped like a bullet, for the staging of chariot races, the largest of these was the Circus Maximus in Rome.

How often did chariot racing take place in the Circus Maximus?

In the Circus Maximus, there were 12 starting gates, and the chariots would come out with the drivers wrapped up in leather and with their team colors on. They would do the circuit of the circus seven times, seven laps being required to complete the race.

How big was the stadium for the chariot races?

The teams attracted fierce passions from their supporters. The Circus Maximus. Chariot races took place in the Circus Maximus, a huge, oval shaped stadium that could seat nearly 200,000 spectators. The stadium had two long parallel sides and one rounded end with seating all around.