Winners were treated like rock stars! But racing was very dangerous. That were built all over the Roman Empire. Maximus, instead of one of the smaller circuses (racetracks) It was considered a great honor and the height of chariot racing if you were able to race your chariot in the Circus When theĬolosseum was built for other events, the Circus Maximus became But under theĮmpire, mass entertainment became specialized.
There were religiousįestivals and foot races and even plays. In the beginning, the Circus Maximus was not only used The largest outdoor sporting stadium in the world today seatsĪbout 114,000 people. To be seated at the same time. To give you an idea of size, The rich had seats up high, and the poor had seats down low. The Circus Maximus was so large that it had room for nearly 250,000 people Men, women, children, even slaves were allowed to watch. In the Circus Maximus, attendance was free. There were circuses all over the RomanĮmpire, but all racers wanted to race in the Circus Maximus. Over 2,500 years ago. It was originally built out of wood, but after burning down a couple of times, the Romans rebuilt it using concrete and marble. The Circus Maximus was built during the 6th century BCE, Largest and the best was the Circus Maximus built in the city of Were called circuses, and were race tracks. To end this practice, the Romans built places to race chariots. These This was very dangerous, not only for the racers but also for the people who might be out walking. In the early days of Rome, young men would get into chariot races all over Rome. They loved racing anything, so of course they loved chariot races. Amid enormous cultural barriers, Kyniska broke gender norms and glass ceilings.īy boldly and proudly celebrating her trailblazing victories with commemorative statues, she transmitted this message to women across the Greek world.įuelled by Spartan pride, Kyniska’s accomplishment to be the first woman to compete, and win, in the male-only Olympics is a startling and memorable achievement that deserves a prominent place in Olympic lore.A chariot is a small two wheeled cart pulled by horses. Chariot races could be watched by women, who were banned from watching many other sports.
#CHARIOT RACES FACTS DRIVERS#
Chariot racing was dangerous to both drivers and horses as they often suffered serious injury and even death, but these dangers added to the excitement and interest for spectators. The fact Kyniska didn’t physically compete has caused history to discount her achievements, but this argument marginalises her larger accomplishment. Chariot races were a popular sport in Ancient Greece and Rome. Other women would go on to compete in the chariot races, and by the 1st century CE women were competing directly against men in foot racing events – and winning. Agesilaus may have been the catalyst, but Kyniska herself probably decided to compete – at least the second time. I claim that I am the only woman in all Greece who won this crown. I, Kyniska, victorious at the chariot race with her swift-footed horses, erected this statue. Kings of Sparta were my fathers and brothers. The inscription on a remaining fragment of her marble statue base reads: Kyniska erected at least two life-size bronze statues of herself at Olympia. Many ancient Greek women won Olympic victories after Kyniska, but none were as famous as she. The Greek writer Pausanias said Kyniska had personal ambitions to win at Olympia, but Xenephon and the philosopher Plutarch credit her brother, King Agesilaus, for pressuring her to compete. What motivated a Spartan royal to break through the difficult glass ceiling of male-dominated Olympic competition and culture? The scant sources we have offer different opinions.
News that a woman had won an Olympic contest would have spread quickly. News of an Olympic victory was carried by fast messengers to the victor’s home city, where preparations to celebrate their return were begun at once. Kyniska could enter her chariot team in the race without ever stepping foot on the forbidden sacred grounds.īut Kyniska’s role was not secret. In fact, chariot team owners did not even have to be physically present at Olympia during the games. Chariot owners did not have to be the ones physically racing at the games to win.
0 kommentar(er)
