3. The Race Held in honor of the gods. Starts with Pompa (a parade) led by giver of the games. Magistrate gives signal to start by dropping a handkerchief. 7 laps (4.5 miles) around spina.

4. 4. CARCERES Starting gates (12) opened and race began

5. 5. The Chariot and Charioteer Usually a 4 chariots raced with 4 horses each.

6. 6. Driver wore boots & helmet-like cap for protection. Driver tied reins around waist because it is very hard to control Driver carried a knife to cut reins as to not be dragged if chariot tips.

7. 7. 24 races a day by 3 rd century AD Nearly 200 public holidays a year!

8. 8. Life of a Charioteer (Auriga) Positive Earned lots of money Very popular public figures. Glamorous life.

9. Life of an Auriga Negative DANGEROUS!!

10. 9. Reasons for Popularity Exciting Spectacle Social Event Betting

11. The Race Track 1. Spina (means backbone) 2. Central barrier 4 feet high and 12 feet wide wall 3. On it were small temples, altars, fountains, statues

12. Race Track (cont’d) 4. 7 bronze dolphins Turn over after each lap Symbol of Neptune, creator of the horse 5. 7 lg. Ova (wooden eggs) Remove one when each lap is completed. Symbol of Castor and Pollux.

13. 6. META Turning posts: 3 cone shaped points at end of spina

14. TEAMS: factiones Red White Blue: senators and rich favorite team Green: emperor and mob favorite

15. Circus Maximus 600 meters long x 200 meters wide circus- a place where chariot races are held maximus- biggest 250,000

16. Circus Maximus (cont’d) Imperial box emperor's box seats 2 stories connected to palace on Palatine Hill, so he did not have to walk the streets

18. Let’s draw. On the back or bottom draw a circus with spina and label the sections.

19. Circus Maximus (cont’d) Obelisk of Ramses II brought from Egypt to Rome found on Spina

27. Valete discipuli!