Chariot racing - Term Paper Example

Chariot racing Chariot racing (Chariot racing, 2008) The exact history about the beginning of chariot racing is still unknown; however, one thing is for sure that chariot racing was one of the favorite hobbies or sports items in the ancient world. Some studies have showed that chariot racing existed even in the thirteenth century of BC. It was a contest between different horse-teams in which small, two-wheeled vehicles were driven by horse teams with 2 or 4 or six horses. Chariot racing was one of the popular items in ancient Olympic Games.

It was a dangerous game not only for the horses, but also for the vehicle drivers. On many occasions, either the horses or the drivers suffered severe injuries or even death. In the ancient Greek and Roman empires, chariot racing generated immense enthusiasm among the public and the winning teams were often considered as heroes. Moreover, the Greek and Roman public constructed many monuments for the memory of chariot racing winners. This paper briefly analyses different characteristics of ancient chariot racing.

The drivers of chariot racing teams were often slaves because of the extreme dangers involved in these sports events. While taking sharp curves in the racing tracks, big accidents were common and many of the drivers and horses suffered injuries and death. The races often wanted to impress their masters and the public and for that purpose they were ready to ride the vehicles as fast as they can even on sharp turns1 The racing tracks were made in oval shape as shown in the picture given below. “Races were held in a circus, so named because of its oval shape” (The circus: Roman chariot racing, 2003)2.

The oval shape was preferred against any other shapes in order to ensure that most of the spectators get a clear view of the events going in the racing tracks. In fact many of the modern stadiums were built in oval shape after taking lessons from the ancient Roman construction methods. (The circus: Roman chariot racing, 2003) The races were run by groups called factions. The factions owned horse ranches and organized bets. The people attending the races bet on the factions not on the horses. Professional charioteers were hired by the factions.

Each faction was identified by the colour tunic the charioteer wore: Greens, Blues, Reds, and Whites. One to three chariots ran for each faction. Each chariot was pulled by two to four horses (Chariot race, n. d). In short, chariot racing was a team event. In most cases, the owner and the driver of the chariot were different persons. In order to reduce the extent of injury, the charioteers usually wore leather helmets, knee pads and shin pads. “A curved knife was fastened over their backs or at their waist so that they could cut themselves free in the event of a crash.

The horses would also be handsomely decorated and even their manes combed and possibly threaded with pearls” (Ancient Roman Chariot Races, n. d). Normally each race was consisting of seven laps in the counter clockwise direction. Many of the participants may suffer accidents during the race and when the race was finally over, only one winner will be there. The most valued dignitary who came to watch this race will present prizes to the winner. Normally, the winner will be presented with a palm branch and a wreath.

“The Romans loved chariot racing even better than the gladiator combats in the amphitheaters. Chariot racing declined when Christianity was made the official religion of the empire” (Chariot racing, 2008). Chariot racing and gladiator events were the most favourite sports events for the Romans. However, when Christianity was made the official religion, Romans forced to give up these brutal sports events because of the teachings of Christianity. According to Christian belief, taking the life of another person or engaging in events which may cause damages to life of a person are sins.

Both gladiator events and chariot racing were labelled as dangerous sports and Christianity will never support such sports items. In short, chariot racing was a dangerous and popular sports event in the ancient Greek and Roman periods. The winning horses and the riders were regarded as heroes in ancient Greece and Romans. The wide spreading of Christianity put an end to this dangerous sports event. References 1. Ancient Roman Chariot Races (n. d), Retrieved from http://www.mariamilani.com/ancient_rome/Ancient_Roman_Chariot_Races.htm 2. Chariot race, (n. d), Retrieved from http://library.

thinkquest.org/CR0210200/ancient_rome/chariot_race.htm 3. Chariot racing (2008). Retrieved from http://100falcons.wordpress.com/2008/01/28/chariot-racing/ 4. The circus: Roman chariot racing, (2003), Retrieved from http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/circus.html