CLAS 208 Lecture Notes - Lecture 23: Chariot Racing, Naumachia, Bestiary
18 Apr 2016
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>amphitheatre in rome built right after nero, 80ce. Chariot races go back as far as the 6thc. Charioteers: slave, freedmen, senators/emperors (to impress women sometimes) >but in maximus, as many as 12 chariots (3/4 from each team) Fan(atic)s: stars idolized, super rich idols, fan clubs, charioteers were celebrities. One festival could last as long as 140 days. Races consisted of about 7 laps around the circus. Astonished that so many thousands of people are interested in seeing horses run. >no prize money, maybe a palm branch or crown, something of recognition. >organized by aristocrats to pay tribute to ancestors. >from 264 bce 404 ce: militarism, funeral games, aristocratic competition. Also a place of execution of criminals, prisoners, slaves = christian martyrdom. >supposedly you could fill the amphitheatre with water, put people in boats and make them fight it out. >zoo outside of rome, animals fighting against humans and eating christians. >also a program where a gladiator would fight an animal.
