tour 5 of 10
Chariot-racing in ancient Rome
Terracotta plaque with a chariot-racing scene
The scene shows a
quadriga (four-horse
chariot) thundering towards the three cones of the
meta (turning post). The
charioteer wears a cap, leggings, and a short tunic with
fasciae (protective
leather straps). The reins are passed tightly around his waist.
Disappearing behind the
meta is a
hortator, a horsemen who
rode among the chariots to encourage the contestants during the
race. The turns were the point of maximum danger, where the
charioteer and the inside lead -horse played a critical
role.
In every race the
chariots made seven laps of the circus. A good charioteer who kept
close to the central island (i) and took the turns as tightly as
possible, would drive around 5,200 metres from start to finish.
Modern racetracks (for mounted horses) are usually 2,000 -3,000
metres.
The name of the
maker of the panel, Anniae Arescusa, appears in a panel above the
horses. Plaques of this type were originally used to decorate the
upper parts of the walls of porticoes and shrines, and occasionally
private houses.