. The life of the Greeks and Romans. results of later times ; we mention the circus built byCaligula in the gardens of Agrippina, commonly called the Circusof Nero, also the circus near the grave of Caecilia Metella(erroneously called Circo di Caracalla), built by Romulus, son ofMaxentius, not to speak of numerous racecourses in provincialtowns (compare Fig. 430). From circumstantial evidence (suchas the plan of the circus of Bovillae, Fig. 430, sculptural repre-sentations, and descriptions by the authors) we are able to givean accurate account of the arrangements of the Circus Maximus,which i
. The life of the Greeks and Romans. results of later times ; we mention the circus built byCaligula in the gardens of Agrippina, commonly called the Circusof Nero, also the circus near the grave of Caecilia Metella(erroneously called Circo di Caracalla), built by Romulus, son ofMaxentius, not to speak of numerous racecourses in provincialtowns (compare Fig. 430). From circumstantial evidence (suchas the plan of the circus of Bovillae, Fig. 430, sculptural repre-sentations, and descriptions by the authors) we are able to givean accurate account of the arrangements of the Circus Maximus,which itself has disappeared almost entirely. On entering through the festive entrance-gate (to both sidesof which lay the cages, carceres, for the racing-chariots) oneobserved, in the centre of the course, the spina, with three conicalcolumns (metce, goals) at each end. The spina itself wasadorned with columns, small sanctuaries, statues of gods, and atall mast, instead of which Augustus erected the obelisk now in LUDI CIRCENSES. 549. 550 CHARIOT RACES. the Piazza del Popolo. Constantine added a second higherobelisk, now standing in front of the Lateran. M. Agrippaadorned the spina with seven water-spouts in the shape ofdolphins, in allusion, most likely, to Neptunus Equester, to whomraces were dedicated. Here also stood an altar (see Gerhard,Antike Bildw., Taf. CXX., 2) with seven egg-shaped objects(ova) lying on it, in remembrance of the origin of Castor andPollux, horse-breakers par excellence. Each time the course hadbeen run through, one of these eggs was removed as a sign to thespectators. Most of these arrangements may be observed in themosaic, 15 feet 6 inches by 9 feet 6 inches, found in the circus ofLyons, Fig. 499. On both sides of the chief entrance we see fourcarceres; we further observe three conical metse standing onsemircircular bases at both ends of the spina, which is hereformed by two water-reservoirs with brick facings, each of themfilled by seven water-spout
Size: 1238px × 2018px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookpublisherlondonchapmanandha
