Circus Carthaginiensis
About
Built over a former necropolis at the end of the 1st century CE, Carthage's circus stretched more than 470 meters, about a third the length of the Circus Maximus, and could seat roughly 45,000 spectators for chariot races. It ranked among the largest circuses anywhere outside Rome and Antioch, reflecting Carthage's status as Africa's leading city. In use and hosting races by 117 CE, it remained active for centuries afterward, with further building work added in the early 3rd century.
What happened here
Two hundred thousand people can watch, and on race days most of them do. Four stables — Red, White, Blue, Green — supply the teams, and supporters wear the colour, bet on it, and brawl about it. Seven laps, twelve chariots, the tightest turns at either end of the central barrier where the crashes happen. Between races there are acrobats, and the barrier itself carries obelisks, statues and the lap-counting eggs and dolphins that are tipped one by one. Seating is mixed, unlike the theatre, which makes the circus the best place in the city to meet someone. Drivers start as slaves and the successful ones die rich and famous. The track is watered and raked constantly; the smell is horse, dust and food.
Sources
Roman Maps shows the empire frozen at 11 August 117 CE, the day Trajan died — its moment of greatest territorial extent. Explore the full map →