The herald., 1897-04-20

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
327 and 174 B. c., when the stalls erected
for chariots and horses are first mem
toned. 1t was enlarged by Julius
Caesar, and a ten-foot broad canal
added between the lowest tier of seats
and the course, as a presaution 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 filed 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
restorations to which the building was
subject, and also explains the falling of
the seats, by which 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 it had
a marble facade, with three external
tiers of arches with engaged columns
and inside sloping tiers of marble seats.
II held at different periods 100000, 250,OOO
and $500 people.
Down the middle of the course ran
low wall, bearing obeliske, images and
ornamental shrines. On 1t 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
ebration 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
ly 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
ny TIC VI tiC oiiOW D SOAAeAAD
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 aedileship. The emperors, had ac-
ccrdingly to distribute the burden
among other officials, but took upon
themselves the greatest part of the ex-
pense. 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
1t has been remarked that ataste of the
VOLTS milk which nourished it's found
ers runs through the entire history OF
Rome. Combats between professional
gladiators were first introduced at the
funeral of Junius Brutus (264 b. C.), 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 f1ercest ami
mails were imported from Asia and Af-
| RIGA. To render the spectacles more ex-
citing, slaves and criminals were pitted
against the beasts. Not to be outdone,
the gladiators hired themselves out for
the deadly combats. They fought in
pairs or in bodies, heavily or lightly
armed. mounted on horseback or seated
in chariots, for these demoralizing
amusements were reduced to system.