Circus Flaminius
Encyclopedia
The Circus Flaminius was a large, circular area of land in Rome
that contained a small race-track reserved for mysterious games, and various other buildings and monuments. It was located in the southern end of the Campus Martius
, near the Tiber River. It was ‘built,’ or sectioned off, by Flaminius Nepos
in 221 BC
. In its early existence, the Circus was a loop, approximately 500 m in length stretching across the Flaminian Fields. During the 2nd century BC, this broad space was encroached upon by buildings and monuments. By the early 3rd century AD, the only open space that remained was a small piazza in the center, no more than 300 m long, where the Ludi
(public games) were held. The Circus was abandoned toward the end of 1st century AD.
The Circus Flaminius was never meant to rival the much larger Circus Maximus
, and, unlike the Circus Maximus, it was not just an entertainment venue. Assemblies, for instance, were often held inside. It was also used as a market. In 2 BC, the circus was flooded for the slaughter of 36 crocodiles to commemorate the building of the Forum of Augustus
. In AD 9, Augustus
delivered the Laudatio of Drusus here. The circus had no permanent seating, nor were there any permanent structures around the perimeter of the race track.
There is debate as to whether or not the Circus Flaminius was used for chariot racing. Strabo
makes no mention of equestrian activities taking place. Valerius Maximus
claims that the Ludi Plebeii (Plebeian Games) were held inside, but other sources deny this. Livy, Varro, and Antoninus Pius, however, have records of some form of Ludi being held within the circus, most likely the Ludi Taurii, games held in honor of the Gods of the Underworld. These mysterious games were held onlyin the Circus Flaminius, suggesting they were symbolically tied to the building itself, and thus could not be moved to a different circus. These were horse, not chariot, races with one rider and his horse going around the turning posts.
In the vicinity of the circus (“in circo Flaminio”) were many structures. The Temple of Pietas lay on the edge of the Forum Holitorium
to the southeast. The Temple of Mars was situated in the northwest. By 220 BC, there were, it is estimated, six temples, including one to Apollo
, standing in Flaminian Fields. In AD 15, statues to the deified Augustus were erected, dedicated by C. Norbanus Flaccus. Also inside was the Porticus Octaviae
. The entrance to the piazza was marked by one of three large marble arches erected in honor of Germanicus
, engraved with records of his military conquests. To the east was the Theatre of Marcellus
.
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
that contained a small race-track reserved for mysterious games, and various other buildings and monuments. It was located in the southern end of the Campus Martius
Campus Martius
The Campus Martius , was a publicly owned area of ancient Rome about in extent. In the Middle Ages, it was the most populous area of Rome...
, near the Tiber River. It was ‘built,’ or sectioned off, by Flaminius Nepos
Gaius Flaminius
Gaius Flaminius Nepos was a politician and consul of the Roman Republic in the 3rd century BC. He was the greatest popular leader to challenge the authority of the Senate before the Gracchi a century later....
in 221 BC
221 BC
Year 221 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Asina and Rufus/Lepidus...
. In its early existence, the Circus was a loop, approximately 500 m in length stretching across the Flaminian Fields. During the 2nd century BC, this broad space was encroached upon by buildings and monuments. By the early 3rd century AD, the only open space that remained was a small piazza in the center, no more than 300 m long, where the Ludi
Ludi
Ludi were public games held for the benefit and entertainment of the Roman people . Ludi were held in conjunction with, or sometimes as the major feature of, Roman religious festivals, and were also presented as part of the cult of state.The earliest ludi were horse races in the circus...
(public games) were held. The Circus was abandoned toward the end of 1st century AD.
The Circus Flaminius was never meant to rival the much larger Circus Maximus
Circus Maximus
The Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium and mass entertainment venue located in Rome, Italy. Situated in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills, it was the first and largest stadium in ancient Rome and its later Empire...
, and, unlike the Circus Maximus, it was not just an entertainment venue. Assemblies, for instance, were often held inside. It was also used as a market. In 2 BC, the circus was flooded for the slaughter of 36 crocodiles to commemorate the building of the Forum of Augustus
Forum of Augustus
The Forum of Augustus is one of the Imperial forums of Rome, Italy, built by Augustus. It includes the Temple of Mars Ultor.-History:The triumvir Octavian vowed to build a temple honoring Mars, the Roman God of War, during the battle of Philippi in 42 BC...
. In AD 9, Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
delivered the Laudatio of Drusus here. The circus had no permanent seating, nor were there any permanent structures around the perimeter of the race track.
There is debate as to whether or not the Circus Flaminius was used for chariot racing. Strabo
Strabo
Strabo, also written Strabon was a Greek historian, geographer and philosopher.-Life:Strabo was born to an affluent family from Amaseia in Pontus , a city which he said was situated the approximate equivalent of 75 km from the Black Sea...
makes no mention of equestrian activities taking place. Valerius Maximus
Valerius Maximus
Valerius Maximus was a Latin writer and author of a collection of historical anecdotes. He worked during the reign of Tiberius .-Biography:...
claims that the Ludi Plebeii (Plebeian Games) were held inside, but other sources deny this. Livy, Varro, and Antoninus Pius, however, have records of some form of Ludi being held within the circus, most likely the Ludi Taurii, games held in honor of the Gods of the Underworld. These mysterious games were held onlyin the Circus Flaminius, suggesting they were symbolically tied to the building itself, and thus could not be moved to a different circus. These were horse, not chariot, races with one rider and his horse going around the turning posts.
In the vicinity of the circus (“in circo Flaminio”) were many structures. The Temple of Pietas lay on the edge of the Forum Holitorium
Forum Holitorium
The Forum Holitorium was the market for vegetables, herbs and oil forum venalium of early ancient Rome, by the Tiber at the foot of the Capitoline and Palatine hills...
to the southeast. The Temple of Mars was situated in the northwest. By 220 BC, there were, it is estimated, six temples, including one to Apollo
Apollo
Apollo is one of the most important and complex of the Olympian deities in Greek and Roman mythology...
, standing in Flaminian Fields. In AD 15, statues to the deified Augustus were erected, dedicated by C. Norbanus Flaccus. Also inside was the Porticus Octaviae
Porticus Octaviae
The Porticus Octaviae is an ancient structure in Rome.Built by Augustus in the name of his sister, Octavia Minor, at some time after 27 BC, in place of the Porticus Metelli, the porticus enclosed within its colonnaded walks the temples of Jupiter Stator and Juno Regina, next to the Theater of...
. The entrance to the piazza was marked by one of three large marble arches erected in honor of Germanicus
Germanicus
Germanicus Julius Caesar , commonly known as Germanicus, was a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and a prominent general of the early Roman Empire. He was born in Rome, Italia, and was named either Nero Claudius Drusus after his father or Tiberius Claudius Nero after his uncle...
, engraved with records of his military conquests. To the east was the Theatre of Marcellus
Theatre of Marcellus
The Theatre of Marcellus is an ancient open-air theatre in Rome, Italy, built in the closing years of the Roman Republic. At the theatre, locals and visitors alike were able to watch performances of drama and song. Today its ancient edifice in the rione of Sant'Angelo, Rome, once again provides...
.