CHARIOT RACINGCHARIOT RACING

BY: Bryce HopkinsBY: Bryce Hopkins

The OriginThe Origin

The earliest finding of a The earliest finding of a chariot race occurs in chariot race occurs in Homer's description of Homer's description of the funeral of Patroclus. the funeral of Patroclus. These races were a These races were a famous feature of the famous feature of the ancient Olympic Games ancient Olympic Games and other games and other games connected with Greek connected with Greek religious festivals. religious festivals.

TTeeaammss The Chariot Races The Chariot Races

were run with teamswere run with teams There was blue, green, There was blue, green,

yellow and redyellow and red Citizens would bet Citizens would bet

secretly which helped secretly which helped Chariot Racing’s Chariot Racing’s popularitypopularity

The winner would be The winner would be the first done with the first done with three laps and then three laps and then the team would get the team would get the glorythe glory

HorsesHorses

• Romans used special methods to train their chariot horses so they could go for long distances at higher speeds. This is done commonly in eventing and endurance, where great stamina is required.

ConstructionConstruction Chariots intended for Chariots intended for

racing purposes were racing purposes were designed of the designed of the lightest possible lightest possible construction. They construction. They would be made of bent would be made of bent wood, wickerwork, and wood, wickerwork, and woven leather. This woven leather. This resulted in a vehicle resulted in a vehicle weighing only around weighing only around 50 kg (100-110 lbs.) 50 kg (100-110 lbs.) that was very different that was very different from the popular from the popular characteristic of today. characteristic of today.

Circus MaximusCircus Maximus

Contained 300,000 Contained 300,000 SpectatorsSpectators

Built in 6th century BCBuilt in 6th century BC Had lap counters, two Had lap counters, two

designs, a dolphin and designs, a dolphin and an eggan egg

From 700 BC to the fall From 700 BC to the fall of Rome at 1453 ADof Rome at 1453 AD

600x200 ft 600x200 ft

Chariot RacersChariot Racers

The Roman charioteers wore The Roman charioteers wore helmets and other protective helmets and other protective clothing, and they wrapped clothing, and they wrapped the reins around their arms, the reins around their arms, which meant that they were which meant that they were liable to be dragged around liable to be dragged around the circuit. What with crashes, the circuit. What with crashes, blood spilt and gambling, the blood spilt and gambling, the Romans considered a day at Romans considered a day at the chariot races as time the chariot races as time enjoyably spent. Feelings enjoyably spent. Feelings often ran high - in often ran high - in Constantinople in AD 352 Constantinople in AD 352 there was rioting that went on there was rioting that went on for three days and 30,000 for three days and 30,000 were killed when the troops were killed when the troops were called in.were called in.

Why the Popularity?Why the Popularity?

People have always People have always been enthralled by been enthralled by competitive sports. Man competitive sports. Man to man combat or group to man combat or group performances have performances have always attracted a large always attracted a large audience. Chariot racing audience. Chariot racing fits this interest level fits this interest level and its drama widely and its drama widely thrilled the common thrilled the common people of the ancient people of the ancient Roman Empire.Roman Empire.

QuestionsQuestions What year did chariot racing start and what What year did chariot racing start and what

happened to end it?happened to end it? 700 BC to the fall of Rome700 BC to the fall of Rome Give two reasons why was chariot Racing so Give two reasons why was chariot Racing so

popular in Rome.popular in Rome. Because the populace loved man-to-man combat, Because the populace loved man-to-man combat,

gladiator fights, and Chariot Racing was a step gladiator fights, and Chariot Racing was a step down from that.down from that.

How heavy were the chariots, approximately, and How heavy were the chariots, approximately, and why were they that light?why were they that light?

Chariots were about 50 kg and were that light for Chariots were about 50 kg and were that light for more speed and less strain on the horses.more speed and less strain on the horses.

Bibliography

• http://www.jerashchariots.com/project/racing.html

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/making_history/makhist10_prog5c.shtml

• http://google.com