Circus Varianus

Circus Varianus was a Roman circus, possibly started around the time of Caracalla, residing in the palatial villa complex known as the Sessorium, beside the Amphitheatrum Castrense. This circus has been identified as the space in which Elagabalus raced horses under the family name of Varius, lending the site the name of "Circus Varianus." The remnants of the circus survive to the south of Porta Maggiore, next to the Aurelian Wall, near the church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. The dimensions of the circus measure 565 x 125 meters, just slightly smaller than the Circus Maximus (600 x 150 m).[1]

Location of the Circus Varianus in Ancient Rome

According to records in the 16th century, an obelisk was found at the site, measuring 9.25 meters tall. It had originally been located at the tomb of Antinous and was moved in the reign of Elagabalus. After being discovered, the obelisk was moved to the Palazzo Barberini in 1932, from there to the Vatican in 1769, and reached Monte Pincio in 1822 where it resides currently.[1]

See also

References
  1. Coulston, J C (2000). Ancient Rome: the archaeology of the eternal city. eBook Academic Collection (EBSCOhost): Oxford University School of Archaeology. ISBN 978-0-947816-54-4.

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