<P> In ancient Rome , chariot races commonly took place in a circus . The main centre of chariot racing was the Circus Maximus in the valley between Palatine Hill and Aventine Hill , which could seat 250,000 people . It was the earliest circus in the city of Rome . The Circus was supposed to date to the city 's earliest times , but it was rebuilt by Julius Caesar around 50 BC so that it had a length of about 650 metres ( 2,130 ft ) and a width of about 125 metres ( 410 ft ) . One end of the track was more open than the other , as this was where the chariots lined up to begin the race . The Romans used a series of gates known as carceres , an equivalent to the Greek hysplex . These were staggered in the same way as the hysplex , but they were slightly different because Roman racing tracks also had a median ( the spina ) in the centre of the track . The carceres took up the angled end of the track , and the chariots were loaded into spring - loaded gates . When the chariots were ready , the emperor ( or whoever was hosting the races , if they were not in Rome ) dropped a cloth known as a mappa , signalling the beginning of the race . The gates would spring open , creating a perfectly fair beginning for all participants . </P>
<P> In ancient Rome , chariot races commonly took place in a circus . The main centre of chariot racing was the Circus Maximus in the valley between Palatine Hill and Aventine Hill , which could seat 250,000 people . It was the earliest circus in the city of Rome . The Circus was supposed to date to the city 's earliest times , but it was rebuilt by Julius Caesar around 50 BC so that it had a length of about 650 metres ( 2,130 ft ) and a width of about 125 metres ( 410 ft ) . One end of the track was more open than the other , as this was where the chariots lined up to begin the race . The Romans used a series of gates known as carceres , an equivalent to the Greek hysplex . These were staggered in the same way as the hysplex , but they were slightly different because Roman racing tracks also had a median ( the spina ) in the centre of the track . The carceres took up the angled end of the track , and the chariots were loaded into spring - loaded gates . When the chariots were ready , the emperor ( or whoever was hosting the races , if they were not in Rome ) dropped a cloth known as a mappa , signalling the beginning of the race . The gates would spring open , creating a perfectly fair beginning for all participants . </P>
where did the roman spectators watch chariot races
where did the roman spectators watch chariot races
a circus
a circus