The Circus Maximus

The circuses of antiquity were public buildings designed for horse-racing. That of Rome with its 300,000 seats was famous throughout the ancient world. Enlarged by Caesar, Claudius, and Nero, it was twice destroyed by fire, in the great Neronian fire of 64 AD, and again under Domitian. More than just a place of racing, the arches beneath the seating were a favorite place for prostitutes, cooks, and fortunetellers. The last spectacle was sponsored by Totila in 549, but by this time the building was already in a state of abandonment. Very soon began the systematic despoilment of the marble; the structure collapsed and the building was burned.

Hover mouse over the ARROW to "recover" into its former glory.

Humanities Resource of Mark Hunter