DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.44944#0160
CIRCUS MAXIMUS
dedere), and prepared to bring an obelisk from Heliopolis, which, however,
was actually done by Constantius in 357 (Amm. Marc. xvii. 4. 12-16).
This was set on the spina and was the highest in Rome (now in the Piazza
del Laterano ; see Obeliscus Constantii). References to the circus
and its games in literature after Constantius are numerous (e.g. Amm.
Marc, xxviii. 4. 29 ; Symmach. passim), but give practically no informa-
tion about the building except the section of the letter of Theodoric,
contained in Cassiodorus, Varia iii. 51. In addition to what has been
already quoted from that letter, we learn that the spina was decorated
with reliefs representing Roman generals in triumphal procession over
the bodies of their captives, a scene that recurs on a diptych of the consul
Lampadius of the fifth-sixth century (DS i. fig. 1532).
Additional information about the circus is furnished by fragments
of the Marble Plan (38-40, 124, 153, 370; BC 1899, pl. i. n. 7 ; cf. HJ
135 n. 63 and pl. iii; also DAP 2. xi. 107-110), reliefs on sarcophagi,
coins, mosaics, and smaller works of art (for Jists and descriptions see
Ann. d. Inst. 1863, 137-149; 1870, 232-261; Abhandl. d. Berl. Akad.
1873, 67-71; RE iii. 2579-2580; HJ 138-139; DS i. figs. 1515-1534).
Modern excavations have brought to light comparatively few remains
of the structure, mainly foundations of some parts of the east end, and
of both the long sides, especially that on the north. The lines of the
paved streets around the building have also been found, so that the exact
site, the orientation, and the principal dimensions of the circus in its final
shape, can be determined with considerable accuracy (NS 1876, 101,
138-139, 184; 1877, 8, no, 204; 1888, 191, 226-227 ; Mitt. 1892, 295;
1893, 289; BC 1888, 171 ; 1908, 241-253; Mel. 1908, 229-231; 1909,
132-135 ; CRA 1908, 327-328). The ruins under S. Anastasia (HJ 134
n. 616 ; ZA 269-274) form no part of the circus proper, but belong to
buildings on the lower slopes of the Palatine. Only the arched chambers
on the right of the church belong to the circus.
The length of the arena was 568 metres, and its width increased from
75 metres at the carceres to 84 at the beginning of the spina and 87 at its
east end. The length of the spina was 344 metres, and the total length
of the circus 600. The width of the cavea proper was 27 metres, but
this was much increased by the additions built over the streets on the
north and south sides. The extreme width thus secured on the Palatine
side was about 80 metres, and the maximum width of the circus about 200
(Mel. 1908, 229-231 ; BC 1908, 248-249).
The exterior had three stories with arches and engaged columns, like
the Colosseum, but all covered with marble. The cavea was divided
into three bands or zones of seats, separated by corridors. The upper
and perhaps the middle zone were probably made of wood. The arrange-
ment of approaches and stairways was also probably somewhat like that
of the Colosseum. The west end contained the carceres or stalls for
the chariots (Varro, LL. v. 153), set on a curve so that the distance was
dedere), and prepared to bring an obelisk from Heliopolis, which, however,
was actually done by Constantius in 357 (Amm. Marc. xvii. 4. 12-16).
This was set on the spina and was the highest in Rome (now in the Piazza
del Laterano ; see Obeliscus Constantii). References to the circus
and its games in literature after Constantius are numerous (e.g. Amm.
Marc, xxviii. 4. 29 ; Symmach. passim), but give practically no informa-
tion about the building except the section of the letter of Theodoric,
contained in Cassiodorus, Varia iii. 51. In addition to what has been
already quoted from that letter, we learn that the spina was decorated
with reliefs representing Roman generals in triumphal procession over
the bodies of their captives, a scene that recurs on a diptych of the consul
Lampadius of the fifth-sixth century (DS i. fig. 1532).
Additional information about the circus is furnished by fragments
of the Marble Plan (38-40, 124, 153, 370; BC 1899, pl. i. n. 7 ; cf. HJ
135 n. 63 and pl. iii; also DAP 2. xi. 107-110), reliefs on sarcophagi,
coins, mosaics, and smaller works of art (for Jists and descriptions see
Ann. d. Inst. 1863, 137-149; 1870, 232-261; Abhandl. d. Berl. Akad.
1873, 67-71; RE iii. 2579-2580; HJ 138-139; DS i. figs. 1515-1534).
Modern excavations have brought to light comparatively few remains
of the structure, mainly foundations of some parts of the east end, and
of both the long sides, especially that on the north. The lines of the
paved streets around the building have also been found, so that the exact
site, the orientation, and the principal dimensions of the circus in its final
shape, can be determined with considerable accuracy (NS 1876, 101,
138-139, 184; 1877, 8, no, 204; 1888, 191, 226-227 ; Mitt. 1892, 295;
1893, 289; BC 1888, 171 ; 1908, 241-253; Mel. 1908, 229-231; 1909,
132-135 ; CRA 1908, 327-328). The ruins under S. Anastasia (HJ 134
n. 616 ; ZA 269-274) form no part of the circus proper, but belong to
buildings on the lower slopes of the Palatine. Only the arched chambers
on the right of the church belong to the circus.
The length of the arena was 568 metres, and its width increased from
75 metres at the carceres to 84 at the beginning of the spina and 87 at its
east end. The length of the spina was 344 metres, and the total length
of the circus 600. The width of the cavea proper was 27 metres, but
this was much increased by the additions built over the streets on the
north and south sides. The extreme width thus secured on the Palatine
side was about 80 metres, and the maximum width of the circus about 200
(Mel. 1908, 229-231 ; BC 1908, 248-249).
The exterior had three stories with arches and engaged columns, like
the Colosseum, but all covered with marble. The cavea was divided
into three bands or zones of seats, separated by corridors. The upper
and perhaps the middle zone were probably made of wood. The arrange-
ment of approaches and stairways was also probably somewhat like that
of the Colosseum. The west end contained the carceres or stalls for
the chariots (Varro, LL. v. 153), set on a curve so that the distance was