The herald., 1897-04-25
This building occupied the Wallis Muir

This building occupied the Wallis Muir
ciae (the site of a prehistoric altar to
Dea Murcia-venus). between the Pala-
tine and Aventine. 1t was restored in
se7 and ia B. c.. when the stalls erected
for charicts and horses are first men
toned. It was enlarged by julius
Caesar. and a ten-foot broad canal
added between the lowest tier of seats
ard the course, as precaution for the
spectators safety when exhibitions of
fighting with wild beasts, such as were
afterward confined to the amphitheater,
took place. When the exhibitions were
removed and the canal was no longer
necessary, Nero filled It up. Only the
lower seats were of stone. the others
being of wood, and this. from the liza
bility to fire, accounts for the numerous
restoratiors to which the building was
subject, and also explains the falling of
the seats, by which a large number Of
people were killed in the time of Antoni-
nus Plus Under Domitian, after fire,
the circus was rebuilt wholly In stone
and marble, and lastly it was enlarged
by Constantine. In its later state 1t had
a marble facade, with three external
tiers of arches with engaged columns,
and inside sloping tiers of marble seats.
1t held at different periods 10000 250 900
and $50, 900 people.
Down the middle of the course ran a
low wall, bearing obeliske, images and
ornamental shrines. On ii also were
seven figures of dolphins and seven oval
objects, one of which was taken down
at every round in the race, so that spec
tators might see readily how the contest
proceeded.
The public games were in fact an imi-
tation Of the national games of Greece,
but in time they underwent a change
which markedly showed the difference
between the Roman and Greek charac-
ters. The earliest games were called
the 'ludi Romani"; they being city cell
ebratien with religious ceremonies. Be-
sides other similar ones, festival OF the
plebeians-"ludi plebeii"-is referred to.
Eventually games were added expressly
in honor of the gods.
The care of the public games original
" belonged to the consuls, and later to
the "aediles," and the expenses were de-
frayed from the public treasury. The
"aediles," however. finding that their
importance and repute were increased
by the brilliancy of the shows, contrib
uted also from their own funds. Custom
in time made an obligation of this vol
untary gift, and the tax at last grew so
heavy that no one was willing to accept
the aeeileship. The emperors, had ac-
ccrdirgly to distribute the burden
among other officials but took upon
themselves the greatest part of the ex-
rerse The games themselves. at first
very simple, bore from the beginning a
military character. They consisted prin-
cipally of boxing and horse and chariot
racing. But the popular taste was too
coarse to be satisfied with feats of
strength or sham battles.
A VENT FOR INNATE BRUTALITY
Ithas been remarked that ataste Of the
VOLTS milk which nourished its found
ers runs through the entire history of
Rome. Combats between professional
sladiators were first introduced at the
funeral OF Junius Brutus (264 b. CO., but
they had been customary In other parts
Of Italy before that time. These replaced
the sham fights and offered what the
people above all wanted, the sight Of
blood. Further to indulge this sanguin-
ary taste, combats OF wild beasts were
introduced, for which the fercest ami
mails were imported from Asia and At
tea. To render the spectacles more ex-
citing, slaves and criminals were pitted
sgainst the beasts. Not to be outdone.
ne glaeiators hired themselves out for
he deadly combats. They fought IN
,alrs or in bodies, heavily or lightly
trmed, mounted on horseback or seated
Il chariots. for these demoralizing
amusements were reduced to system.
Under the empire the spectacles sup