Location | Regio IX Circus Flaminius |
---|---|
Coordinates | 41°51′18.69318″N 12°31′6.67697″E / 41.8551925500°N 12.5185213806°E |
Type | Mausoleum |
History | |
Builder | Augustus |
Founded | 28 BC |
The Mausoleum of Maxentius was part of a large complex on the Appian Way in Rome that included a palace and a chariot racing circus, constructed by the Emperor Maxentius. The large circular tomb was built by Maxentius in the early 4th century, probably with himself in mind and as a family tomb, but when his young son Valerius Romulus died he was buried there. After extensive renovation the mausoleum was reopened to the public in 2014.
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Transcription
Welcome to the ancient Circus of Maxentius. This circus, known until the 19th century as the Circus of Caracalla, is the best preserved of all extant Roman circuses. It is also the second largest of all circuses, only beaten by Circus Maximus. This grand arena, located next to the Appian Way, was built during the early 4th century during the reign of the Roman Emperor Maxentius. The exact history of this circus is still rather unknown, but the records tell us about at least one of the games held at this circus. These games were the inaugural ones which were described to have been funerary in character. These games were most likely held in honor of the emperor's son, Valerius Romulus, who died at young age. Romulus is believed to have been interred at the circus, at a masoluem Maxentius most likely already had built as a future tomb for himself. The Tomb of Romulus is one of the first things that you will see if you're walking the Appian Way from Rome. However, today the tomb itself is in ruinous state and to a large extent concealed by another building. As you can see, much of the circus itself is also left in ruins. However, the 500 meter long track itself is visible, as well as the two gate towers. These towers would have contained mechanism for raising the starting gates to allow the chariots to race down the track. It was during the track excavation in the 19th century, that archeologists found an inscription which dedicated the circus to the "divine Romulus". This was what helped the historians to identify the circus as Circus Maxentius, rather than the Circus of Caracalla. In the middle of the 90 meters wide track is the "spina" -- the barrier which divided the track into two. The spina is exactly 1000 Roman Feet long, around 300 meters, and was most likely cased in marble during the glory days of the circus. During these times, the circus was decorated with several statues and obelisks. One of the obelisks originally located here at the Circus of Maxentius is the obelisk which today dominates the popular square Piazza Navona, in central Rome. The circus is believed to have had a spectator capacity of around 10.000 people. The spectators were standing on an elevated area surrounding the track, which allowed them to view the races in safety. The audience was also protected from the sun by an arch which sprung from the summit. While the spectators of the races were safe, the same cannot be said about the charioteers competing in the races. The dangers of the course required the contestants to wear both a helmet and a chest mail. The chariots were drawn by 2, 4 or sometimes even 10 horses. As you can imagine, racing chariots on a track like this was bound to cause accidents. It wasn't uncommon that charioteers were wounded or killed due to crashes during the race, despite their protection. Today, the Circus of Maxentius is by far the best preserved of all Roman circuses. Even though the towers are ruins, the spina largely covered and the arches broken, the old circus is still an impressive sight.
History
Maxentius may have decided to build the mausoleum on the Appian Way because, according to Roman custom, all bodies had to be buried outside the city. The complex is very close to several catacombs. The mausoleum is believed to have been a two-story, cylindrical rotunda with a diameter of around 35 metres, but only its semi-underground floor survives. There is a central octagonal pillar with a diameter of more than nine meters and this is circled by a seven-meter-wide, vaulted corridor with open niches for the sarcophagi. [1] There is no trace of floor or wall decoration, suggesting that the building was never completed.[2]
An 18th century home largely obscures the mausoleum from the Appian Way and stands where a columnar porch once framed the tomb's principal entrance.[3] This was originally a farmhouse and was later converted into a home by the Torlonia family, who owned it until it was taken over by the Fascist government in 1943.
See also
References
- ^ "Mausoleum of Romulus reopens after 20 years". The History Blog. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
- ^ Claridge, Amanda (2010). Rome (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-954683-1.
- ^ Wheeler, Ginny. "Channeling the Past and Structuring the Future:The Versatile Architectural Vocabulary of Maxentius' Villa on the Via Appia". Retrieved 11 June 2015.
External links
- Lucentini, M. (31 December 2012). The Rome Guide: Step by Step through History's Greatest City. Interlink. ISBN 9781623710088.
Preceded by Mausoleum of Helena |
Landmarks of Rome Mausoleum of Maxentius |
Succeeded by Pyramid of Cestius |