![]() The lucky winner could turn into a superstar, gaining fame and a good deal of fortune. The most famous of them, the Circus Maximus in Rome and the Hippodrome in Constantinople, were the social and political hearts of the two imperial capitals.īut grandiose racetracks were more than sporting arenas. They were places where common people had a rare opportunity to see their emperor, and more importantly, engage in discussion with the imperial majesty. The Evolution Of Chariot Racing In The Ancient World The Chariot Race in the Hippodrome, Alexander von Wagner, 1882, Manchester Art Gallery In the sixth century’s Constantinople, one of such discussions went wrong, resulting in a horrible massacre known as the Nika riot. The first chariot appeared in the Bronze age as a vehicle of war. Lightweight and agile, it was the most powerful unit in the armies of the ancient empires such as Egypt, Assyria, or Persia. Greeks, and later, Romans, did not use chariots in battle, relying on infantry instead. Chariots, however, preserved a special place in their culture. Gods raced fiery chariots across the sky, while earthly rulers and high priests used them in religious and triumphal processions. However, those imposing vehicles gained popularity in sports events.įor ancient Greeks, chariot racing was an important part of the Olympic games. Two-horse ( biga ) and four-horse ( quadriga ) chariots led by amateur charioteers raced on a racetrack called hippodrome, with up to sixty chariots participating in the same race. One of the documented events reported a crash of up to forty chariots. The very term for the crash – naufragia (shipwreck) evokes the dangers and horrors of this sport. Greeks exported chariot racing to Italy, where it was adopted by the Etruscans around the 6th century BCE. Romans, who shared the Etruscan need for speed, turned chariot racing into a mass entertainment spectacle. Sarcophagus of a child with a chariot race of Amors, ca. ![]() In imperial Rome, racing became a professional sport, with stars and teams funded by private owners and municipalities. #ANCIENT ROMAN CHARIOT RACES PROFESSIONAL# Most of the athletes were slaves, who could earn their freedom, fame, and fortune, by winning in the races. #ANCIENT ROMAN CHARIOT RACES PROFESSIONAL#.
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