Circus of Maxentius

Welcome to the Cir-co di Mas-sen-zio, or the Circus of Max-en-ti-us, a site of extraordinary archaeological importance located along the historic Appian Way. While many travelers flock to the famous Circus Maximus in the city…

Our exploration begins at the western end of the circus, where you will find the ruins of the Car-cer-es, or the starting gates. This was the engine room of the circus, where twelve chariots would wait in their stalls for the…

As we move into the center of the track, we encounter the Spi-na, the longitudinal barrier that divided the circuit. At the Circus of Max-en-ti-us, the Spi-na was exactly 1,000 Roman feet long, or approximately 296 meters. …

At each end of the Spi-na stood the Met-ae, the turning posts. These were semi-circular structures that the charioteers had to navigate with extreme skill. …

Located on the northern side of the circus is the Imperial Tribune, the specialized viewing box reserved for Emperor Max-en-ti-us and his entourage. The tribune consisted of a long rectangular room and a circular hall, designed…

Just outside the circus walls stands the most poignant part of the complex: the Mausoleum of Romulus. This monumental tomb was dedicated to Valerius Romulus, the son of Max-en-ti-us, who died in 309 AD at the age of seven and was…

Surrounding the mausoleum are the remains of a vast Quad-ri-por-ti-co, a four-sided portico that originally enclosed the sacred area. This structure measured 107 by 121 meters and featured brick columns and small cross-vaulted…

Our journey through the Circus of Max-en-ti-us concludes where we began, looking out over the 500-meter track. This site is a rare and precious survival, offering a clear vision of an integrated imperial residence from the early…

As you depart the Cir-co di Mas-sen-zio, the sun likely lower in the sky over the pine trees of the Appian Way, take a moment to look back at the towers of the Car-cer-es. We have explored the mechanics of the races, the symbolic…