Ad99998 04 051a/eng
Die Rennbahn der alten Römer
Beschreibungstext eng
Antiquities. VIII. Vol. Im. No 49., THE CIRCUS OF THE ANCIENT ROMANS., treur> qui fan* nadikc souries d^rWsfe IpW, qui fe, ar les oniara « ‘;' voyons ici est de Jrttein portaient S autour du corps pour la plupart Romains de si les chars KÜ par derrière et «ire chevaux dans portaient le uàriça, Celui q\û premier la courte ie premier 1 iriale, »tînt. :, une oi'fr rîeCIiar. a an chat m l'était le. « bélier edeferyétaitaîtachar; ilTervaiten lar leger. >ur couronne. Ufit up--1 ilWu HP i he Anrients held their races not in the open fiel i as the English cio at prêtent, but within magaifif'ent publick buildings which furrouuded the large open couife, and which were only accomodated for the purpofe of publick grime?. Thel'e place? were generally called CircuJJes. of the annexed pictîire represents a Circus, feveral ûf which exifted in ancient Rome., qui fan* nadikc souries d^rWsfe IpW, qui fe, ar les oniara « ‘;' voyons ici est de Jrttein portaient S autour du corps pour la plupart Romains de si les chars KÜ par derrière et «ire chevaux dans portaient le uàriça, Celui q\û premier la courte ie premier 1 iriale, »tînt. :, une oi'fr rîeCIiar. a an chat m l'était le. « bélier edeferyétaitaîtachar; ilTervaiten lar leger. >ur couronne. Ufit up--1 ilWu HP i he Anrients held their races not in the open fiel i as the English cio at prêtent, but within magaifif'ent publick buildings which furrouuded the large open couife, and which were only accomodated for the purpofe of publick grime?. Thel'e place? were generally called CircuJJes. of the annexed pictîire represents a Circus, feveral ûf which exifted in ancient Rome., ur couronne. Ufit up--1 ilWu HP i he Anrients held their races not in the open fiel i as the English cio at prêtent, but within magaifif'ent publick buildings which furrouuded the large open couife, and which were only accomodated for the purpofe of publick grime?. Thel'e place? were generally called CircuJJes. of the annexed pictîire represents a Circus, feveral ûf which exifted in ancient Rome., Fig. 1. A Circus of the Ancient Romans., 1. The Circus was an oblong-fquare building and on one of the narrow sides femicircular; its infide was furnished all around with fionebenches and feats for the fpectators, and encorupaffed a large open place deftined for the charriot-and horfe-race', for the gladiators and wreftlers-for the combats of wild beafts and other publick games. , On the outille were différent halls, avenues, and galleries, but also un the narrow part of the infide fa) were various hails J'hut up with gâtes, where the chariots, horfes and wild beafts were kept tili the games began. In the middle of the courle and in a longitudinal direction was a wall, 12 fèet broad and 6 feet high (c) whofe top was ornamanîecî. with little temples, altars, obelisks, pyramids, conick towers'and statues especially those of Neptune and C)bele; and which was called the fpina, (the fpine) on the two ends of îhis élévation or eßrade Aood thîee high cories of stone clofe to each other. (d) Round these cônes which were called metae and which served them also for starting pofts, the racers were obliged to turn seven times. At (B) was a white Line in the courle, called creta schalk) where the race began. At fe) was the great gâte or outrance in to the circus, above which the box of the Lmperour or Coniul was situated and from which the fignal for the beginning ol the race was given., Fig. 2. A Quadriga., The chariot-räcers were divided into various factions, which difiinguished themselves by the différent colours of their dress', the hère reprefeuted was of the green faction; they wore ieather-girclles round the wailt and arms and were generally Equestrians or other young noble Romans; they drove, standing in the low chariot which, was open behind, The chariot was na med B/ga, Triga or' Quadriga from the nurnber of the horfes which, were yoked clofe to each other. He that first lïnished the seventh turn round the fpina and arrived first at the Meta which was oppofite to the Em. erour's box, jumped upon the meta, and received as Victor a palm-twig, a wreath, crovvn or the like., Fig. 3. The pole and Yoke of the Chariot., Not onlv the chariot and wheels were decorated with elegant carvings, but also the pole was generally adorned with a rarn's head oi bronze. To the pole the double yo>e of iron was faf. ened which layed over the backs of the two pole horfes, and which beingbuckled below, served at the famé timeto Rapport the pole and to draw the light chariot., e of iron was faf. ened which layed over the backs of the two pole horfes, and which beingbuckled below, served at the famé timeto Rapport the pole and to draw the light chariot., Fig. 4. A crowned Victor., At the chariot-races the victor not only jreceived a palm-twig, wreath orcrown, but also medals were stamped in his honour; and eu'ii the heads of his horfes were adorned with palm-twigs as the ancient Medal (Fig. 4.) shows.
