Rome: Apostles and Martyrs

5. Circus Maximus

Roma, Lazio

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The Circus Maximus was the largest and oldest of the arenas in Rome, built in the 7th century BC. The arena hosted a variety of ludi, or public games, such as gladiatorial combat and chariot races. In its heyday in the first century BC, the stadium could hold up to 250,000 people on its banked terraces, with plenty of stone to make comfortable boxes for the rich and famous. Many Christians lost their lives here in mock battles, wild animal attacks, and crucifixions. The arena was 600 meters long and 140 meters wide. Over time, successive Emperors added better facilities, and more permanent seating and decorations such as the obelisk, which Constantine II brought back from Egypt. This now stands outside St John's Basilica in Lateran. The final games were held at the circus in the sixth century for the Ostrogoth King, Totila. After its final show, the arena became a quarry for many of the new Roman buildings. The Circus Maximus is now a shadow of its former glory and definitely quieter than the days of mass execution and nose bleed chariot races.