Chariot Racing
By: Owen Betanzs
Our Olympics today have changed greatly from the Olympics of the Ancient Greeks, especially the sport of chariot racing. We think of chariot racing as a historical Greek sport of the ancient Olympics. In this event, racers would ride in a small, light, unstable chariots while being pulled by multiple horses at top speed. The racers would race seven laps around the arena and there would be as many as twelve chariots per race. People who raced in this event were considered fierce gladiators with a strong and willing mind. Also, there is a strong possibility in chariot racing that you could crash. With few safety measures, falling during a race could be fatal. Just a fact about chariot racing, motor sports and motorcycle racing were inspired by chariot racing. During some races, the first prize for the winning person was given 140 amphoras of olive oil (Greeks highly valued olive oil).
Chariot Racing will always be remembered through Greek and Roman culture. This was popular for both Romans and Greeks. Greeks highly valued olive oil. Some people who specialized in this sport are Emperor Antoninus Pius, Domitian, and Sisterly. They were just a few of many famous charioteeers who won many races. Although, the detail that makes them different from the others is their career length. Most of the chariot riders would retire after 1-2 years because they valued their safety and they most likely had a family back at home. These people’s careers as a racer lasted much longer, with many more victories under their belt.
Chariot Racing has a long history. The idea of chariots started in 2,400 B.C.E. for war chariots in Mesopotamia. Second, in 1,300 BC the chariot was introduced to china. Third, in 680 B.C.E chariot racing was first included in the olympic games. In AD 549, the last chariot race was raced. That was the end of that era of chariot racing.
Chariot Racing always had a great importance and a high value. They were held to entertain the city folks. When some races were being held, over the majority of the population would come and watch the race. Chariots were used in war, to transport goods and services, and the Chariot was usually the kings/queens transportation. This sport was also important over the course of its era because if two different villages were having a heated argument or disagreement, a chariot race could bring them together and work out their arguments. To add on, the prize was large if you won a race, so sometimes people would enter just because they wanted the possibility of winning money.Boxing, Equestrian events, Chariot Racing, Riding, Pankration, Pentathlon, Discus, Javelin, and the Long jump were all examples of the Greek olympic games
There are only a few rules in the game of Chariot Racing. The racers must get pulled by their horses around the track seven times. Trying to crash another's vehicle was permitted. Also, you could get away with some cheating such as cutting corners. Horseplay was also legal during races. This was important it kept the bystanders interested and on their toes. The art of having little rules during a match was one reason why people liked it so much.
The sport was very dangerous, so many riders decided to retire very quickly after they started. Although, there was one rider who decided to stick with his career of Chariot Racing for many years. His name was Gaius Appuleius Diocles. He won 1,462 of the 4,257 four-horse races in which he competed, and he won nearly 36 million sesterces. Most all of racers did not accomplish this in such a scary and nerve racking sport.
The sport of Chariot Racing affect us in many ways. They inspired us of motor sports and motorcycle racing. They also inspired us of NASCAR, which is now extremely popular. There has also been remaining statues from the races. Statues were created for the Chariot Racing “Gods” (the best of the best in Chariot Racing), who people strongly admired and sometimes worshipped. Some of these are still here today in modern day Greece.One statue was The Charioteer of Delphi, is considered the best known statue remaining in ancient greece. 1896 at the Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi. The sport of Chariot Racing reminds me of a mix between NASCAR, and suprisingly, Hockey. There are fights, battles, and horseplay. All of these fall under the catigory of football. Hockey is also very rough, and you are allowed to try hit the person, which falls under the catigory of both NASCAR and Hockey.
This post is winding down to a finish. Thank you for reading. Listed below are the sources I used for the Post.
1. http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/circus.html
2. http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/chariot.html
Here is a video of a chariot race!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxcMwRdNuTk
WORK IN PROGRESS
By: Owen Betanzs
Our Olympics today have changed greatly from the Olympics of the Ancient Greeks, especially the sport of chariot racing. We think of chariot racing as a historical Greek sport of the ancient Olympics. In this event, racers would ride in a small, light, unstable chariots while being pulled by multiple horses at top speed. The racers would race seven laps around the arena and there would be as many as twelve chariots per race. People who raced in this event were considered fierce gladiators with a strong and willing mind. Also, there is a strong possibility in chariot racing that you could crash. With few safety measures, falling during a race could be fatal. Just a fact about chariot racing, motor sports and motorcycle racing were inspired by chariot racing. During some races, the first prize for the winning person was given 140 amphoras of olive oil (Greeks highly valued olive oil).
Chariot Racing will always be remembered through Greek and Roman culture. This was popular for both Romans and Greeks. Greeks highly valued olive oil. Some people who specialized in this sport are Emperor Antoninus Pius, Domitian, and Sisterly. They were just a few of many famous charioteeers who won many races. Although, the detail that makes them different from the others is their career length. Most of the chariot riders would retire after 1-2 years because they valued their safety and they most likely had a family back at home. These people’s careers as a racer lasted much longer, with many more victories under their belt.
Chariot Racing has a long history. The idea of chariots started in 2,400 B.C.E. for war chariots in Mesopotamia. Second, in 1,300 BC the chariot was introduced to china. Third, in 680 B.C.E chariot racing was first included in the olympic games. In AD 549, the last chariot race was raced. That was the end of that era of chariot racing.
Chariot Racing always had a great importance and a high value. They were held to entertain the city folks. When some races were being held, over the majority of the population would come and watch the race. Chariots were used in war, to transport goods and services, and the Chariot was usually the kings/queens transportation. This sport was also important over the course of its era because if two different villages were having a heated argument or disagreement, a chariot race could bring them together and work out their arguments. To add on, the prize was large if you won a race, so sometimes people would enter just because they wanted the possibility of winning money.Boxing, Equestrian events, Chariot Racing, Riding, Pankration, Pentathlon, Discus, Javelin, and the Long jump were all examples of the Greek olympic games
There are only a few rules in the game of Chariot Racing. The racers must get pulled by their horses around the track seven times. Trying to crash another's vehicle was permitted. Also, you could get away with some cheating such as cutting corners. Horseplay was also legal during races. This was important it kept the bystanders interested and on their toes. The art of having little rules during a match was one reason why people liked it so much.
The sport was very dangerous, so many riders decided to retire very quickly after they started. Although, there was one rider who decided to stick with his career of Chariot Racing for many years. His name was Gaius Appuleius Diocles. He won 1,462 of the 4,257 four-horse races in which he competed, and he won nearly 36 million sesterces. Most all of racers did not accomplish this in such a scary and nerve racking sport.
The sport of Chariot Racing affect us in many ways. They inspired us of motor sports and motorcycle racing. They also inspired us of NASCAR, which is now extremely popular. There has also been remaining statues from the races. Statues were created for the Chariot Racing “Gods” (the best of the best in Chariot Racing), who people strongly admired and sometimes worshipped. Some of these are still here today in modern day Greece.One statue was The Charioteer of Delphi, is considered the best known statue remaining in ancient greece. 1896 at the Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi. The sport of Chariot Racing reminds me of a mix between NASCAR, and suprisingly, Hockey. There are fights, battles, and horseplay. All of these fall under the catigory of football. Hockey is also very rough, and you are allowed to try hit the person, which falls under the catigory of both NASCAR and Hockey.
This post is winding down to a finish. Thank you for reading. Listed below are the sources I used for the Post.
1. http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/circus.html
2. http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/chariot.html
Here is a video of a chariot race!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxcMwRdNuTk
WORK IN PROGRESS