tour 2 of 10
Chariot-racing in ancient Rome
Lamp showing a chariot race
The circus, with its long, narrow structure
purpose-built for chariot and horse races, was a feature of many
Roman cities. The scene on this terracotta oil lamp depicts a race
in the Circus Maximus in Rome, the largest of all ancient circuses,
with a capacity of around 200,000
people.
The lampmaker has
skilfully condensed the whole event into a small space. In the
centre the four-horse chariots
(quadrigae) of the four
factions (Reds, Blues, Whites and Greens) race around the track.
Below them is the central island
(spina, literally
'spine') of the circus, complete with statues,
shrines, an obelisk and turning posts
(metae). The starting
gates and the crowd in the stands complete the
scene.
The maker, Saeculus,
whose name is stamped on the base of the lamp, often featured
gladiatorial or chariot-racing scenes on his
lamps.