![chariot races in circus chariot races in circus](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/56/cb/02/56cb0224991c14288eca56121b03653f.jpg)
Most of the coachmen were recruited from slaves. They have often won a great fortune and worship of Roman women.
#CHARIOT RACES IN CIRCUS DRIVERS#
The best drivers were great stars in Rome. Mosaic from the 3rd century CE showing a coachman with a horse. Importantly, each team had a maximum of three teams for each race. The viewer who thought that the race should be repeated got up and waved his gown or tunic – when the majority did, the race was interrupted and repeated. Due to the colour of the carriage drivers’ tunes, parties were formed among the audience, whose members often behaved similarly to modern football fans. Certainly, the most popular factions were the Blues and Greens – supported by the Emperor’s entourage – as evidenced by the small number of sources regarding Red and White.īut where exactly did these colours represent the teams? In the third century CE, Tertullian mentioned that the Reds were consecrated to Mars, the White Marshmallow, the Greens to Mother Earth or spring, and the Blue to sky and sea or autumn 1.Īs a curiosity, it is worth mentioning that the admirer of green was emperor Caligula, who spent hours sitting in their stables. In the times of Domitian, two additional teams were introduced: Purple and Gold but soon after his death in 96 CE, they disappeared. In ancient Rome, four fan clubs were classically distinguished: Red ( russata), Green ( prasina), White ( albata) and Blue ( veneta). The fans were divided into specific factions ( factiones), depending on the colours. In addition to gladiatorial fights, the Romans also loved horse racing.