Circus of Maxentius

Architecture

Italy

Italy, Rome

The Circus of Maxentius is much better preserved than the Circus Maximus. In evidence are the restored remains of the long central barrier (296 meters) around which the chariots raced (spina) and at each of its ends, and the restored substructures for the turning posts (metae). The remains of the vaulted substructures (north and south sides) on which were constructed seats for approximately 10,000 spectators are preserved on each of the long sides, as is the short eastern wall. The Circus of Maxentius is part of a larger complex which includes an imperial villa palace to the north west of the circus and connected to it by a hallway leading to an imperial viewing box (pulvinar); and a mausoleum for Romulus, the son of Maxentius.

Italy, Rome

L: 503 m ; W: 75-79 m

Dates to 305-312 CE during the reign of Maxentius. It is made of opus vittatum (concrete with block and brick facing).

Claridge, Amanda. Rome. An Oxford Archaeological Guide. 2nd ed. Oxford and New York, 2010, p. 426-28. Humphrey, John H. Roman Circuses. Arenas for Chariot Racing. Berkeley, 1986, p.582-602.

Attributed to Tyler Bell under the license CC-BY 2.0

CC-BY 2.0

Tyler Bell

Photographer

Circus
Chariot Race
Roman
Funerary
Concrete
Brick

4th c. CE