- Augustus (27 BCE – 14 CE): Added an imperial box for the emperor and elite officials to watch the races.
- Tiberius (14 CE – 37 CE): Renovated the seating areas and made structural improvements.
- Nero (54 CE – 68 CE): Expanded the circus and introduced additional decorations, including the famous Egyptian obelisk, which now stands in Piazza del Popolo.
- Trajan (98 CE – 117 CE): Further strengthened the structure, ensuring its durability for centuries.
One of the most dramatic moments in the history of the Circus Maximus occurred in 64 CE, when the Great Fire of Rome destroyed much of the wooden sections of the stadium. Emperor Nero later oversaw the reconstruction, adding more fire-resistant materials such as stone and concrete.
Final Form Under Constantine
By the 4th century CE, the Circus Maximus reached its peak grandeur under Emperor Constantine the Great (306–337 CE). It remained the primary venue for chariot racing and large-scale public spectacles. However, after the decline of the Western Roman Empire, the use of the circus diminished. By the 6th century CE, it was largely abandoned following the collapse of Roman authority and the Gothic Wars.
Conclusion
The Circus Maximus was originally built in the 6th century BCE, during the reign of King Tarquinius Priscus, but it underwent numerous expansions and reconstructions over the centuries. Under Julius Caesar, Augustus, and later emperors, it evolved into a massive, stone-built stadium that stood as a symbol of Roman entertainment and engineering. Although it no longer functions as a racetrack today, its ruins still serve as a reminder of ancient Rome’s grandeur and its love for spectacular games and competitions. shutdown123