Circus Maximus
The day
was filled with excitement as Caecilius arose at the crack of dawn. The sun was
fairly weak as it was still winter (February) but this did nothing to dampen
spirits in the city. It was Lupercalia so he was granted the day off work as
was the rest of Rome. In addition to the religious celebration there was also
the chance to gaze upon the chariot racing. Caecilius attended to his master
and his wife in the morning and then as they left for the races where they were
to be granted the finest seats whilst he and the rest of the slaves also headed
for the Circus Maximus.
Caecilius
could feel his stomach churn with excitement as he approached the Circus
Maximus. He made his way down from the house on the Palatine hill and into the
valley where it was located. As he walked he saw the vast number of temples
that overlooked the grand arena. Caecilius passed the temples dedicated to
Magna Mater and Apollo as he descended down the Palatine hill. This reminded
Caecilius that today’s entertainment was meant every bit as much to the Gods as
it was to the people of Rome. Such a
large proportion of the city had come to watch, the Circus Maximus was a woethy
venue capable of accommodating over 150,000 people. Although there were seats a
humble slave such as Caecilius had the long climb up the stairs to the top of
the arena where he would stand to watch the day’s events unfold. As he climbed
to the standing area and bustled his way so he could get his fare share of the
free food and wine. He looked down to the arena where he saw the parade in full
swing. There was yet to be more parades, speeches and sacrifices made to the
Gods before the main event of the day could take place; the Chariot racing.
