Circus Flaminius ( lat.Circus Flaminius ) - a circus in ancient Rome , in the southern part of the historic Martian field , near the coast of the Tiber . The circus was built in 221 BC. e. the politician and military leader Guy Flaminius , who at that time occupied the magistracy of the censor .
History
Initially, the circus extended for 500 meters or more, reaching the Vegetable Market , but in the future its length was reduced several times due to the construction of other structures. In the III century. n e., judging by the Marble Plan of Rome , it did not exceed 300 meters.
In the IV. n e. the circus was abandoned and then completely built up. In the XVI – XIX centuries. in the territory of the former circus was the Roman ghetto .
Use
The appointment of the Flaminiev Circus is not entirely clear. On the one hand, it occasionally hosted sports (“ Tavrian Games ”), on the other hand, there is no evidence that the vast territory of the Flaminius Circus (unlike the Great Circus , the main hippodrome of ancient Rome) was specially equipped for horse riding or other competitions . Moreover, it is known that on the territory of the circus of Flaminius there was a market, several churches, and also public meetings were held. Today it is generally accepted that this territory was simply a fenced area that was used one way or another, depending on current needs, and was gradually built up.
Literature
- John H. Humphrey. Roman Circuses: Arenas for Chariot Racing. University of California Press, 1986
- Victor Sonkin. “Rome was here. Modern walks in the ancient city. " Corpus, 2015.