The Circus Maximus

In “The Bodyguard,” one of three stories in The Deadliest Returns, Miriam’s friend Professor Jason tells her of his relationship with his lifelong friend:

No matter where my friend was, whatever his military campaign, we kept in touch. We even met in Rome a few times when he was on furlough and I could take leave from the medical school. He escorted me everywhere: to the best restaurants, the Theater of Marcellus, and of course, the Circus Maximus for the chariot races. How he got us seats at the southeastern turn, I’ll never know, but we had the best view of the ‘shipwrecks.’ That’s what they call the crashes, when the driver, horses, and chariot in one thrilling moment, turn into a tangled wreckage of bones, blood, and splinters.

The Circus Maximus was an ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium and mass entertainment venue and Rome’s largest venue for public games connected to Roman religious festivals. In the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills, it was the first and largest stadium in ancient Rome and later, the Empire. It measured 621 meters (2,037 ft) in length and 118 meters (387 ft) in width and could accommodate over 150,000 spectators. In its fully developed form, it became the model for circuses throughout the Roman Empire. The games were sponsored by leading Romans or the Roman state for the benefit of the Roman people and their gods. Most were held annually or sponsored to celebrate a military triumph.

The site is now a public park.

Come be Miriam’s guest. Admission is free. In most Miriam bat Isaac mysteries, you can find out what to bring. To pick one, just click here.