Circus of Maxentius, Towers and Starting Gates

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Illustration

Carole Raddato
by
published on 27 May 2024
Circus of Maxentius, Towers and Starting Gates Download Full Size Image

The Circus of Maxentius is the best-preserved Roman circus in Rome and is second only in size to the Circus Maximus. It lies outside the city, between the second and third milestones along the Appian Way (Via Appia). This circus was part of a large palace complex built by Emperor Maxentius between 306 and 312 CE. The track of the Circus of Maxentius was 503 metres (1650 ft) long and 79 metres (259 ft) wide. It had a capacity for 10,000 spectators.

The towers would have contained the mechanism for raising the carceres (starting gates), which were positioned on an arcuated course between the towers.

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About the Author

Carole Raddato
Carole maintains the popular ancient history photo-blog Following Hadrian, where she travels the ancient world in the footsteps of Emperor Hadrian.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Raddato, C. (2024, May 27). Circus of Maxentius, Towers and Starting Gates. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18981/circus-of-maxentius-towers-and-starting-gates/

Chicago Style

Raddato, Carole. "Circus of Maxentius, Towers and Starting Gates." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified May 27, 2024. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18981/circus-of-maxentius-towers-and-starting-gates/.

MLA Style

Raddato, Carole. "Circus of Maxentius, Towers and Starting Gates." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 27 May 2024. Web. 14 Dec 2024.

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