Circus of Antioch explained

The Circus of Antioch was a hippodrome in Antioch, in present-day Turkey. Used for chariot racing, it was modelled on the Circus Maximus in Rome and other circus buildings throughout the Roman Empire.

Characteristics

The Circus, measuring more than 490 m in length and 30 m of width,^[1] was similar to the Hippodrome of Berytus.

The circus could house up to 80,000 spectators.

History

There is no consensus about the circus' dating, as it was built and used for several years before its official dedication. It seems to have been built sometime around 50 BCE.

By the late seventh century CE, it had become decrepit and was replaced by a new arena located nearby (less than 1/5 of a mile to the north); the new arena was called “Hippodrome B” or the “Palestra.”^[2]

See also

• List of Roman circuses
• Hippodrome – a Greek arena also used for chariot racing

References

36.2267°N 36.1717°W

Notes and References

1. Book: John Humphrey. Roman Circuses: Arenas for Charioteers. 25 August 2012. 13 February 1986. University of California Press. 978-0-520-04921-5. 446–.
2. Book: Andrea U. De Georgi . A. Asa Eger . Antioch: A History. 29 December 2021. May 31, 2021. Routledge. 9781138845244 . 218.