The Circus Maximus
Chariot races
A chariot race was the loudest show in Rome. Horses pulled light carts around a huge track. Fans screamed for their color.
The track
The Circus Maximus was a long oval of sand and stone. A barrier ran down the middle. Drivers raced around it, not in a straight line.
The colors
Fans picked a team. The famous colors were red, white, blue, and green. People wore their color and cheered until they were hoarse.
The horses
A light chariot was pulled by a team of horses. Four horses were common in the big races. The turn at each end was the hard part.
The driver
The driver was called an auriga. Many drivers were enslaved, or had once been. A great driver could become rich and famous.
The danger
Chariots could crash and tangle. Romans called a bad crash a shipwreck. Horses and drivers could be hurt. It was exciting, and it was not safe.
Not gladiators
Gladiators fought in an arena, person against person. Chariot stars raced. Some people loved both shows. They were not the same job.