The record-union., 1893-08-05
GLADIAT0RS IN TRAINING.
Great Preparations for the Approach
ing Circus Maximus.
Busy Scenes at the Athletic Club
Origin of the Circus Maximus-The
Contests to be Reproduced.

The gymnasium of the Sacramento
Athletic Club has presented a busy scene
every evening during the past week.
The athletes have gone into training for
the great reproduction of the Circus Max
linus, which is to be given in connection
with the State Fair, and there is no doubt
that on the opening night of the show
they will be thoroughly proficient in the
art OF Staying" each other with sword
and trident as did the ancient Romans;
and to hurl javelins, throw the discus
and leap with all the finish and precision
of the Greeks.
WILL SURPAss THEM ALL.
1t was a happy thought on the part of
the State Agricultural Society in deciding
to reproduce this famous show, and it will
no doubt prove to be the greatest amuse-
ment attraction ever given in connection
with the fair. The Circus MaXimus has
been reproduced only twice in late years
once in London about ten years ago,
and once in San Francisco this year by
the Olympic Club. The San Francisco
production was so far superior to the one
given in London, that they are not to be
mentioned in the same breath. \ md now
the Sacramento athletes, three hundred
strong, with the advantage of the eXperi-
ence of their Olympic friends, are going
into the project, and there is every pros
pect that the coming production will sur
pass that given in San Francisco. The
reasons for so believing are that the Sac
ramentans Will have greatly superior
arena and amphitheater, where chariot
races and equestrian contests can be given
i'll manner that could not be attempted
at the bay; and, besides, they are equally
as good athletes as their metropolitan
friends.
The Olympic Club production was pro-
nounced by the press and public of San
Francisco to be the grandest spectacle
ever seen in that city, so those who eX-
pect to visit the State Fair can get some-
thing Of an idea now as to what they are
going to see.
Work has already been commenced on
the amphltheater, which is to adjoin the
new Pavilion, and it will doubtless be
finished in time for several dress rehearsals
before The opening night. The original
scenery used at San Francisco is arriving
daily, and it will not be long before peo-
pie may see reproduction of the interior
of the famous mphitheater, the ruins of
which are still to be seen at Rome.
ORIGIN OF THE CIRCUS.
The circensian games are alleged by
tradition to have originated in the time
of Romulus, when they were dedicated
to Census or Neptune and called Con
sualia." After the first war undertaken
by Iarqulnlus PriScus, in which he cap
tured the Latin city of Aiole, his victory
was celebrated by games. The games
continued to be held annually and a per-
manent edltlce was soon constructed
distinguished after the erection of the
Flamintan and other large circi, as the
| Circus MaXimus. 1t must have been
altered and enlarged at various times, for
according to different computations it was
capable of holding all the way from 100,
| OOO to $50, 200 persons. Its extent has also
| been variously estimated. In the time OF
julius Cesar it was three standia, or ,S75
feet long, and one standium, of 625 feet,
wide, while the depth of the buildings
surrounding the open space was half
Standlum, or about 3l2 feet. All the circus
! buildings, OF which there were consider
able number, are now destroyed, except
smaller one on the Appian way, known
as the Circus ofCaracalla.
THE GAMES OF OLD.
The games were inaugurated bv a nro-
cession from the capitol" in which
those bearing the images of the gods went
hrst, followed by the musicians, per-
! formers in the games, the consuls lictors,
sacrlfants and others. Then came the
conflicts between gladiators, the wrest-
! ling, boxing with the cestus, hurting the
! JdNellu, quOlI-InrOWlng, running, Jump
ing, mounted sword combats, horse
racing and chariot racing A regular
battle between armies was sometimes
! given, and by the formation of canals
and the introduction of vessels, a sea fight
was sometimes given. The exhibitions
also included fights between wild beasts.
Animals were procured from all parts of
the Roman Empire, and were pitted to-
gether. When Pompey opened his IA
nous amphitheater he is said 20 have
given public exhibitions for five days.
| during which 800 lions and twenty ele-
phants were destroyed.
The Olympic" games belonged to the
Greeks, and were given once every four
years. AS the time approached for these
games, social truce was proclaimed,
and during the month in which thew
! took place, any invasion of the Elean
territory was considered sacrilege. At
/ the same time hostilities were suspended
throughout Greece. At first the festival
was confined to one day and consisted
! simply of foot-racing, but in later years
| wrestling, leaping, quoit-throwing, hurl-
ing the javelin and boxing were added
| Chariot-racing came in vogue still later,
| but, like all the Greek pastimes, the
olympic games included no contests with
weapons, as was the case of the Romans