The Circus Maximus In Ancient Rome

Rome was a city that was ahead of its time. The empire was known for numerous attributes; endless entertainment, bloodshed, and the lust for power were staples of Roman society, and such elements must be discussed when examining the glorious arena known as the Circus Maximus. The Circus Maximus – among other arenas – was a display of the power and glory of the Roman Empire, and the structure has always been a prominent feature of the city of Rome. The Circus Maximus has an interesting history, the structure was created for reasons that were not unique to Roman culture, it held events that were a pillar of Roman society, and the partially excavated Circus is still used for many events in Rome.
The history of the Circus Maximus has intrigued all who have studied it. The Circus Maximus was constructed around 600 B.C. in a valley between the hills of Palatine and Aventine in Rome during the Etruscan period; Roman tradition states that the arena was built by Romulus (Circuses, 2002). During the years following the construction of the arena, it was remodeled and expanded several times. It was, also, ravaged by fires on multiple occasions – which spurred much of the rebuilding that took place – as the majority of the original seating was made of wood; all of the seats were changed to stone in the …show more content…
The Circus Maximus was built during the Etruscan period in 600 B.C., but it was remodeled several times. The Circus was created for chariot racing and to hold festivals for the Roman gods. However, other events – like gladiator fights, animal hunts, and contests – were, also, held at the Circus Maximus. The Circus Maximus can still be found in Rome, but most of the structure is covered in debris; however, the area that is not covered is still used for celebrations and events in Rome. The Circus had made a lasting impact on the Roman Empire and current Roman