ll Circus Maximus and the Colosseum are two of Rome’s most iconic monuments, but they are often confused with each other.
In reality, they are very different structures in terms of history, function, and architecture.
Have you ever wondered if the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum were the same thing? Spoiler: no!
Find out their differences and everything you need to know about these two important tourist sites and, most importantly, let me tell you how to get to both.
Want to clear up any doubts you may have? Read on and you can plan your visit to Rome to discover these historical wonders!
ALT! If it’s not enough for you to take a look at the Colosseum but you want to get to know it live, remember to book your tickets online well in advance. Avoid stressful queues, book your admission and have an unforgettable experience in the world’s most famous amphitheater!
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Circus Maximus and Colosseum: they are not the same thing!
The Circus Maximus today | ID 149474041 © Blunker | Dreamstime.com
Different structures, different uses
The Colosseum is an amphitheater, or we could almost say the amphitheater par excellence!
It was built by the Flavian dynasty to bring prestige to its empire, both because of the splendor of the Colosseum itself and especially because of the great events held in it: here it was possible to watch gladiator fights and public performances.
The Circus Maximus is an ancient stadium intended for chariot races and large community events.
It is located in the valley between the Palatine and the Aventine. But not only this: its wide flat space and proximity to the Tiber also made it a place intended for commercial and even ritual exchange activities.
However, the Circus Maximus is remembered especially for the events within it, and this sometimes causes confusion with the Colosseum.
Both were, yes, places of entertainment, but with very different functions and, above all, their history is linked to distant eras.
Epoch of construction
The Colosseum was built in the first century A.D. by Emperor Vespasian, who belonged to the Flavian dynasty: in fact, the Colosseum’s original name was the Flavian Amphitheater.
The emperor wanted to return the area to the people by giving it prestige, after Nero had made this area his private home.
The Circus Maximus, on the other hand, dates back to even earlier times, with traces dating as far back as the 6th century B.C.: in fact, the first wooden installations found belong to these years, and it seems that they were built to celebrate the Ludi Romani, ancient festivities, which were organized to celebrate the victory over the city of Apiolae.
Differences between Circus Maximus and Colosseum
The Circus Maximus today, lower area
Shape and dimensions
The Colosseum has an oval shape and can seat about 50,000 spectators, although some historians believe it could have been as large as 75,000.
Its size makes it the largest Roman amphitheater in history: think it measures 189 meters long, 156 meters wide and is more than 48 meters high.
The Circus Maximus was a huge runway 600 meters long and 140 meters wide, with a capacity of up to 250,000 spectators.
The area was truly immense and allowed for unprecedented events.
Shows and events
Inside the Colosseum different kinds of performances were organized and could last over and over again.
The most anticipated event for the public consisted of gladiator fights, but inside the Colosseum one could also see exotic animal hunts, public executions, and theatrical performances, not to forget the naval battles made possible by the flooding of the arena.
Even at the Circus Maximus it was possible to see different types of events: there were some gladiatorial games, but the main events were chariot races, public games, and imperial celebrations. But it was also possible to watch equestrian parades and battle performances.
What remains of it today?
The Colosseum is almost perfectly preserved, minus the damage from earthquakes and neglect.
After undergoing many restorations it can now be admired and visited in all its glory and is one of the most visited sites in the world.
The Circus Maximus is now an open area with visible archaeological remains and a large public park.
In addition, it is still exploited for some events! In fact, at the Circus Maximus, musical performances are organized in which a large number of spectators can participate.
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How far away are the Colosseum and Circus Maximus?
The Circus Maximus today, upper area
Walking tour
These two places, once the scene of major events, are very little apart: about 1 km, which can be covered on foot in 10-15 minutes, if not less!
Are you wondering which is the best route? Don’t worry, it’s very simple! Starting from the Colosseum, you can reach the Circus Maximus by walking along Via di San Gregorio, crossing the picturesque Palatine area, and then turning onto Via dei Cerchi.
Means of transportation
If you wish to get around by public transportation, simply hop on at the Colosseum Metro B stop, named after the monument itself, and get off at the “Circus Maximus” stop (which will already be your first stop!). If you don’t love walking, you can’t go wrong.
Not a fan of rails? Don’t worry, you can easily take advantage of the bus as you can choose from several lines that directly connect the two areas. In fact, you can take line 75, 81 or 118.
Finally, there is a practical solution that could be fun: by renting a bike or scooter you can get around with ease. By simply using an app you can opt for a quick solution that will allow you to enjoy the Roman landscape.
Frequently asked questions
The Colosseum is really close to the Circus Maximus: it only takes about 10 minutes to walk there since they are only 1 km apart.
Both monuments are Roman amphitheaters, but today they have different functions: the Colosseum is an archaeological site while the Verona Arena is instead used as an opera house, although there are also other events held inside.
The largest amphitheater in the world is the Colosseum. This was the wish of its builder, Vespasian, who wanted to give Rome an imposing amphitheater capable of bringing prestige to his empire.
There are some monuments that really do look a lot like the Colosseum. For example, the Theatre of Marcellus is even called “the little Colosseum” precisely because of its resemblance to the Flavian Amphitheater. The Arena of Nîmes also closely resembles the largest Roman amphitheater in the world, as does the Arena of Verona. Many people also confuse the Colosseum with the Circus Maximus, considering that both were exploited by the Romans for the organization of very large and spectacular events.
Conclusion
Performance at Circus Maximus painted by Raphael Sorbi
Here we come to the conclusion of this article, in which I highlighted for you how Colosseum and Circus Maximus differ.
In fact, we have clarified the differences between Circus Maximus and Colosseum, found out what distinguishes them , and done a little historical background on each of these great historical sites.
I told you what kinds of events were held at these sites and in what eras they were most used.
Finally, I explained how to reach them and also provided you with useful information for your visit, before answering frequently asked questions.
Have you ever visited both? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
And if you want to explore Rome’s most iconic monument, book your tickets to the Colosseum now and get ready to experience all the fascination of its history up close!
The best-selling
Colosseum and Roman Forum Ticket + Audio Guide
Fast-track access and audio guide included: explore Colosseum and Roman Forum with one ticket.
from 25€
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