The Circus Maximus was the largest chariot-racing stadium in ancient Rome, lying in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills. According to Roman tradition it was first laid out by one of the early kings, Tarquinius Priscus, and it was enlarged over centuries by figures such as Julius Caesar and Augustus, who placed an Egyptian obelisk along the central spine. It could seat a very large crowd, and was the setting of races, games and religious festivals. The races were hugely popular, and supporters of the different teams, known by colours, were fiercely loyal. The Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE began near the circus. Today only the grassy outline remains, used for public events.
Before and after
- 587 BCENebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple
- 575 BCEIshtar Gate
- 564 BCEDeath of Aesop
- from 553 BCE to 428 CEKingdom of Armenia
- c. 550s BCEConstruction of Circus Maximus
- 551 BCEDeath of Zoroaster
- 551 BCEBirth of Confucius
- 550 BCEFounding of Verona
- from 550 BCE to 366 BCEFounding of Peloponnesian League
More in Civilizations & archaeology
- from 31st century BCE to 14th century BCEConstruction of Stonehenge
- c. 2,560 BCEConstruction of Great Pyramid of Giza
- 600 BCEFounding of Milan
- from January 27 BCE to January 395 CERoman Empire
- 11 May 330 CEConstantine dedicates Constantinople
- 25 March 421 CEFounding of Venice
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 6th century BCE.