Chariot racing: the story on HearLore

Chariot racing

Images on pottery from thirteenth century BC Mycenaean Greece show chariots racing. The first literary account appears in Homer's Iliad during the funeral games for Patroclus. Participants included Diomedes of Argos, King Menelaus of Sparta, and Antilochus. The race covered one lap around a tree stump. Diomedes won the event and received a slave woman plus a cauldron as his prize. Legend states that Pelops defeated King Oenomaus to win Hippodamia's hand. This victory supposedly founded the Olympic Games themselves. Pindar later mentioned this legend in his writings. These early events combined practices from the eighth century with legendary past accounts.

Greek Olympic Traditions

The Olympic Games traditionally began in 776 BC under the Eleans. Chariot races were added to the program by 680 BC according to Pausanias. A four-horse chariot called the tethrippon ran twelve laps around the track. Starting gates known as hysplex used tight cords to ensure fair starts. A bronze eagle raised by Zeus signaled the beginning while dolphins marked each completed lap. The hippodrome stretched approximately 780 meters long and 320 meters wide. Spectators watched from natural embankments on the north side. An altar named Taraxippus terrified horses near the turning post causing many crashes. Drivers wore sleeved garments called xystis fastened high at the waist. Alcibiades owned seven chariots in 416 BC winning first second and fourth places without driving them himself.

Roman Engineering And Circuses

Rome's main center was the Circus Maximus built between Palatine Hill and Aventine Hill. Julius Caesar rebuilt it around 50 BC to a length of about 480 meters. Seating capacity reached roughly 150,000 spectators before later expansions. Starting gates called carceres opened simultaneously when an editor dropped a white cloth. A central barrier known as the spina divided the track and held lap counters shaped like eggs or dolphins. Three gilded columns called meta marked the turning points at either end. Races typically lasted seven laps rather than the twelve common in Greece. Emperors like Caligula sponsored ten to twelve races daily while Nero pushed twenty-four. Commodus once held thirty races within two hours of a single afternoon. Domitian managed one hundred races in just one day by reducing lap counts drastically.

When did chariot racing first appear in ancient Greek history?

Images on pottery from thirteenth century BC Mycenaean Greece show chariots racing. The first literary account appears in Homer's Iliad during the funeral games for Patroclus.

What were the rules and dimensions of Olympic chariot races in 680 BC?

Chariot races were added to the program by 680 BC according to Pausanias. A four-horse chariot called the tethrippon ran twelve laps around a track that stretched approximately 780 meters long and 320 meters wide.

How many spectators could the Circus Maximus hold after Julius Caesar rebuilt it in 50 BC?

Julius Caesar rebuilt it around 50 BC to a length of about 480 meters. Seating capacity reached roughly 150,000 spectators before later expansions.

Who was the most successful Roman charioteer Gaius Appuleius Diocles and what were his earnings?

Gaius Appuleius Diocles won 1,462 out of 4,257 races during his career. His lifetime winnings reportedly totaled over 35 million sesterces excluding driver fees.

When did the Nika riots occur and how many people died during the military retribution?

The Nika riots of 532 AD saw thousands killed by military retribution after factions united against imperial rule. Procopius viewed the affair as a failure of imperial troops to govern their people effectively.

What year marked the last known race at the Circus Maximus under Ostrogothic king Totila?

The last known race at the Circus Maximus was staged in 549 by Ostrogothic king Totila. Public entertainments in Italy ended in all but a few towns by the fourth century.

Chariot racing

Greek Olympic Traditions

Roman Engineering And Circuses

Continue Browsing

Common questions

When did chariot racing first appear in ancient Greek history?

What were the rules and dimensions of Olympic chariot races in 680 BC?

How many spectators could the Circus Maximus hold after Julius Caesar rebuilt it in 50 BC?

Who was the most successful Roman charioteer Gaius Appuleius Diocles and what were his earnings?

When did the Nika riots occur and how many people died during the military retribution?

What year marked the last known race at the Circus Maximus under Ostrogothic king Totila?

Factions And Political Power

The Nika Riots And Decline

Chariot racing

Greek Olympic Traditions

Roman Engineering And Circuses

Continue Browsing

Common questions

When did chariot racing first appear in ancient Greek history?

What were the rules and dimensions of Olympic chariot races in 680 BC?

How many spectators could the Circus Maximus hold after Julius Caesar rebuilt it in 50 BC?

Who was the most successful Roman charioteer Gaius Appuleius Diocles and what were his earnings?

When did the Nika riots occur and how many people died during the military retribution?

What year marked the last known race at the Circus Maximus under Ostrogothic king Totila?

Social Status Of Drivers

Factions And Political Power

The Nika Riots And Decline