The race of four-horse chariots was, perhaps, the greatest event in the Olympian Games, and certainly the most exciting to the spectators, as accidents were frequent, especially at the turn. Consummate skill was necessary to double the post as close and as fast as possible. Readers of Sophokles' Electra will remember the account given by the messenger of the alleged death of Orestes in a collision of chariots turning the post.[37]
The Romans probably derived their custom of chariot-racing from the Greeks, as also the plan which, with some alterations in detail, they adopted for their circus. In the early days of Rome the marshy valley between the Palatine and Aventine Hills was the place chosen for the games, and remained so through the succeeding centuries, during which the course was gradually surrounded with an immense building; this in the fourth century after Christ held not far short of 180,000 people.
In the later Roman Empire the charioteers were hired by factions, which were distinguished by different colours, and excited violent enthusiasm among all classes of Roman society. The passion survived the introduction of Christianity, and was perhaps even more violent at Constantinople than at Rome; it was said that the inhabitants of the new capital of the Empire divided their interests between a passion for chariot-racing and theological discussion. Successful charioteers were transferred from one faction to another like modern football-players. Records exist of the number of victories gained by famous whips, and of the proportion won under the different colours.
The costume of the charioteer was always distinct. In Greece he wore a long robe girt at the waist, which is well seen on the bronze statue from Delphi,[38] and on the chariot-racing reliefs from the Mausoleum.[39] At Rome his dress was peculiar, and is illustrated by the terracotta relief (No. 179; fig. 62) and other objects in this Case, notably the small ivory statuette (No. 180; fig. 63). It consisted of a close-fitting cap, and a shirt fastened round the waist. Characteristic thongs called fasciae were wound round the ribs. The thongs of the reins were also wound about the body. A knife was stuck in the belt so that the reins might be quickly cut in the event of an accident.
Fig. 64.—Lamp Showing Chariot-Race in Circus (No. 181). Diam. 3¾ in.
A sort of bird's-eye view of the whole circus, with a race in progress, is given on the lamp No. 181 (fig. 64), on which we see on one side the carceres or barriers with folding-doors from which the chariots started; on the other a stand with rows of spectators, while in the lower part of the design is the spina, or central rib of the circus, crowded with various structures. Not less instructive is the scene on the terracotta relief (No. 179), though only one chariot is there represented (fig. 62, above). Two lamps (Nos. 182, 183) illustrate respectively the return of a victorious horse (fig. 65) and a victorious four-horse chariot. The former is accompanied by men bearing palm-branches and a tablet probably inscribed with the name of the successful competitor.
Fig. 65.—Victorious Horse (No. 182). 33⁄5 in.