Unlike what one might think, the greatest attraction of ancient Rome was not the Colosseum but the Circus Maximus.
In fact, the Flavian Amphitheater was built over 350 years after the Circus Maximus, underlining the fact that the true passion of the Romans was horses and chariot races rather than gladiators.
And, if the Colosseum could hold between 50 and 80,000 people, the Circus Maximus had a capacity almost five times greater, even reaching 250,000 seats; which makes it probably the largest structure for shows and sporting events ever built in the history of mankind.
Already in the 6th century BC. The marshy area was drained and could be used for various competitions.
Gaius Julius Caesar, who expanded the circus in its breadth, had the circus on the occasion of his triumphal games in 46 BC. Built in marble seating steps, some of which were permanent, and surrounded the arena with a moat to separate it from the auditorium.
In the early 4th century AD the circus reached its maximum development.
The circus was a venue for chariot races.
The teams circumnavigated the spina counterclockwise, usually seven times. Drivers and spectators could read how many laps had been completed from seven lowerable wooden eggs, which were later replaced by seven marble dolphins.
In addition to the chariot races of the "circus games", gladiator fights and animal hunts also took place in the Circus Maximus.
From 186 BC "Greek-style games", i.e. athletic competitions, were also held in the Circus Maximus.
From the later 6th century the Circus Maximus fell into disrepair.
The large open space was then partially used for agriculture in the Middle Ages.
The facility is used for large events and a mass audience. According to the organizers, the Italian concert of Live 8 took place here on July 2, 2005 in front of around 200,000 visitors. The Italian national football team was also received in the Circus Maximus on July 10, 2006 after winning the World Cup. On July 14, 2007, the British rock band Genesis played in front of more than 500,000 fans at the Circus Maximus, according to the Italian press....
At the end of 2016, an exhibition opened in the grandstands, giving access to the components.