Rome – Miscellaneous Topics Circus Maximus Expanded by Julius Caesar in ~ 50 B.C.E., its purpose was to host ~4 mile-long chariot races – this required a few laps by the 12 chariots because the track was ~600 meters long and ~80 meters wide Note the starting gates (B) and the diagonal layout of the central divider

Rome – Miscellaneous Topics Circus Maximus A famous scene in the movie Ben-Hur (1959) depicts a chariot race – it took 3 months and 8000 extras to film the scenefamous scene

Rome – Miscellaneous Topics Gladiatorial contests - Latin word gladius meant sword - fought each other, wild animals, condemned criminals - average game had gladiators / each bout lasted minutes, as music played - gladiators were paid / could earn the right not to fight - the audience (or emperor) often decided whether a losing gladiator lived (thumbs down?) or died (thumbs up?) - only about 10% died in combat Pollice Verso ("With a Turned Thumb"), an 1872 painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme

Rome – Miscellaneous Topics Roman baths Public baths were popular in Rome – they usually included hot, cold and lukewarm pools, sauna-like facilities, and spa-like services such as oiling and massaging The wealthy visited the baths often – sometimes daily

Rome – Miscellaneous Topics Roman sanitation Roman cities had sewer systems that drained toilets (under which water flowed continuously) The holes on the top are for sitting upon / the holes in the front are for the sponge- stick (the Roman version of toilet paper)

Rome – Miscellaneous Topics Togas Male Roman citizens wore ~20 foot-long garments made of wool called togas over their tunics Married Roman women wore stolas

“Hail Caesar” by AC/DC He be the count of Monte Cristo Could be a quake any day Maybe somebody from Siam Begin the era of a new rage Keeps lickin' all the honey Chewin' up the fat he rakes Instead of sending to the lions They cover him with praise All hail Caesar Hail! Hail! Down at the epicenter Things started heatin' up Rockin' up the Richter scale Swingin' in the chariot Around and around we go The senators rehearse the tale Starring in the Coliseum Tied upon the rack Up comes the thumb of Caesar To stab you in the back All hail Caesar Hail! Hail! Down at the epicenter Things started heatin' up Rockin' up the Richter scale Swingin' in the chariot Around and around we go The senators rehearse the tale Watch out Caesar I said hail Hail! Hail! All hail Caesar Hail! Hail!