The Circus Maximus was an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium, also used for other entertainment purposes, located in Rome, Italy. It was situated in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills, it was the first and largest stadium in Ancient Rome. It measured 621 metres in length and 118 metres in width, and could accommodate over 250,000 spectators.
After being rebuilt in 64CE, the Circus had a capacity for 250,000 spectators. The spectators were seated on banks 30 metres wide and 28 metres high. The lower two tiers of seats were made of stone and concrete, whereas the upper tiers of seating were made of wood. The outside of the circus create a very impressive front, which would have drawn more spectators in. The track, which was originally covered in sand, measured 540 x 80 metres and had 12
starting gates for chariots to be arranged in an arc at the open end of the track. A barrier ran down the centre of the track so that chariots ran in a circuit around turning posts placed at each end. The barrier also had two
obelisks added over the centuries, one in the centre and one at the end. On the barrier were also lap markers, eggs and dolphins, which were turned to mark the completion of the seven circuits of a normal race.
starting gates for chariots to be arranged in an arc at the open end of the track. A barrier ran down the centre of the track so that chariots ran in a circuit around turning posts placed at each end. The barrier also had two
obelisks added over the centuries, one in the centre and one at the end. On the barrier were also lap markers, eggs and dolphins, which were turned to mark the completion of the seven circuits of a normal race.
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