Circus Maximus, Rome Italy
“Do not be conformed to this world…” Romans 12:2
One manner of conforming with the Roman world at the time of the New Testament was participation in Roman games including the chariot racing and wild animal hunts in the Circus Maximus. It was expected that the emperor would provide entertainment for the people in the stadiums and gladiator battles in the colosseums and theaters.
The Circus Maximus is just one of several circuses in Ancient Rome - the oldest and largest. In a long low area between two of the Roman hills (Aventine and Palatine). At its peak and after the great fire in Rome, the circus had a stone perimeter structure of seats for around 150,000. The central spina of the track had obelisks and pillars that marked the turning points at each end of the track. The Flaminio Obelisk was installed at the east end in 10 BC by Caesar Augustas. It can be seen today in Piazza del Popolo. The Lateran obelisk was installed much later (357 AD) in the center of the spina and the repaired version is near St John’s Lateran today. The Pulvinar - a raised temple above the seats on the Palantine side was a place for the emperor to watch the games and races. As Emperors built their mammoth palaces on Palantine hill they had ever greater views of the circus.
Today the circus is a public park and an outdoor venue for concerts and public celebrations on a less grand (and less bloody) scale than Imperial times.
View of the Circus Maximus from the South East end.
