User:Tigran Abrahamyan Yotes/Hippodrome

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The hippodrome (Greek: ἱππόδρομος) was an ancient Greek stadium designed for horse racing and especially chariot racing. It was a stadium-type structure that had a U-shaped racecourse and was used to race chariots and horses, which was a popular sport at the time. The name "hippodrome" is derived from the Greek words hippos ("horse") and dromos ("course"). The term is used in the modern French language and some other, with the meaning "horse racecourse". Hence, some present-day horse-racing tracks also include the word "hippodrome"[1] in their names, such as the Hippodrome de Vincennes and the Central Moscow Hippodrome.

Its Roman counterpart was called a circus and is best represented by the Circus Maximus. The typical hippodrome was dug into a hillside and the excavated material used to construct an embankment for supporting seats on the opposite side.[2] In the English-speaking world, the term is occasionally used for theatres.er

Overview

The Hippodrome was an ancient Greek stadium designed for horse racing and chariot racing, and it had a U-shaped racecourse. The Roman version, the circus, was similar to the Greek hippodrome. (The hippodrome was not a Roman amphitheater, which was used for spectator sports, executions, and displays, or a Greek or Roman semicircular amphitheater used for theatrical performances.)

The Greek hippodrome was usually set out on the slope of a hill, and the ground taken from one side served to form the embankment on the other side. One end of the hippodrome was semicircular, and the other end was square with an extensive portico, in front of which, at a lower level, were the stalls for the horses and chariots. At both ends of the hippodrome were posts (Greek termata) that the chariots turned around. This was the most dangerous part of the track, and the Greeks put an altar to Taraxippus (the disturber of horses) there to show the spot where many chariots wrecked. Οne large ancient hippodrome was the Hippodrome of Constantinople, built between AD 203 and 330.

In the English-speaking world, Hippodrome is occasionally used in the names of theaters, after the Hippodrome w,hich opened in London in 1900 "combining circus, hippodrome, and stage performances".[3] In the 20th Cectury, the term Ae"aerodrome"as created, modeled on Hithe hpodrome.

The Hippodrome of Constantinople was an arena used for chariot racing throughout the Byzantine period. First built during the reign of Roman emperor Septimius Severus in the early 3rd century CE, the structure was made more grandiose by emperor Constantine I in the 4th century CE.[4]

The Hippodrome Theater in New York City was a grand entertainment venue built in 1905 by the showmen and entrepreneurs Frederick Thompson and Elmer S. Dundy, who were famous for creating Luna Park at Coney Island. The theater was the largest in the world at the time and was capable of holding over 5,000 people. It hosted a variety of performances, including circuses, vaudeville shows, and even a few early films. The theater was demolished in 1939.

The Hippodrome was an ancient Greek stadium designed for horse racing and chariot racing, and it had a U-shaped racecourse. The Hippodrome of Constantinople was an arena used for chariot racing throughout the Byzantine period.[5] The Hippodrome Theater was a grand entertainment venue in New York City that hosted a variety of performances. The term "hippodrome" is used in modern French and some other languages, with the meaning of "horse racecourse", and some present-day horse-racing tracks include the word "hippodrome" in their names.

Diocles: The Most Famous Charioteer

In the annals of Roman sports, one name stands out prominently among the charioteers, Diocles. Born in Lusitania (present-day Portugal) around 104 AD, Diocles was one of the most celebrated athletes in the ancient world and left an indelible mark on the Roman Hippodrome.[6]

Diocles began his illustrious career at the age of 18, and for the next 24 years, he dominated the chariot racing scene. Chariot racing was not just a popular sport but a dangerous one, marked by high-speed competition on tracks that were often slippery and filled with sharp turns. Despite the inherent risks, Diocles displayed exceptional skill and courage.

Diocles' records speak volumes about his achievements. During his career, he reportedly competed in about 4,257 races and had a staggering 1,462 victories to his name. This accomplishment set him apart from his contemporaries, making him one of the most successful charioteers in history. His earnings, too, were unprecedented. It is said that he earned 35,863,120 sesterces in prize money during his career, a sum that surpasses the earnings of most modern athletes.[7]

Diocles primarily raced for the White and Green factions during his career, but his most significant successes came when he was associated with the Reds. His most favored team of horses was named "The Delight of the People," which resonates with his popularity among the spectators.

In the context of the Hippodrome and its significance, Diocles' fame highlights the importance of chariot racing in Roman society. The races were grand spectacles, with charioteers from different factions (Reds, Whites, Blues, and Greens) competing for glory. These events were immensely popular, attracting vast crowds and betting activities, and successful charioteers like Diocles were revered figures.

Diocles retired at the age of 42, an unusually long career for a charioteer given the dangerous nature of the sport. His life and achievements serve as a testament to the athleticism, skill, and courage required to excel in the perilous yet revered profession of chariot racing in the Roman Empire.

List of Greek hippodromes

List of Roman hippodromes

List of modern horse-racing venues

Main article: List of horse racing venues

See also

Other structures called hippodromes:

Similar modern structures:

References

[1] Chisholm, Hugh, (22 Feb. 1866–29 Sept. 1924), Editor of the Encyclopædia Britannica (10th, 11th and 12th editions). (2007). Who Was Who. https://doi.org/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u194658

[2] Why is a hippodrome so called? (n.d.). https://scientific-know-how.com/article/why-is-a-hippodrome-so-called

[3], [4] "The London Hippodrome, Hippodrome Corner, Cranbourn Street, City of Westminster". www.arthurlloyd.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-4-25

[5], [6] Cartwright, M. (2023). The Hippodrome of Constantinople. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1158/the-hippodrome-of-constantinople/

[7] Auguet, R. "The Roman Charioteer." The Classical World

[8] Potter, D. S., & Mattingly, D. J. "The Circus Maximus and the Charioteers." Life, Death, and Entertainment in the Roman Empire

Futrell, A. (2006). The Roman Games: A Sourcebook. Blackwell Publishing.

Cameron, A. (1976). Circus Factions: Blues and Greens at Rome and Byzantium. Clarendon Press.

  1. ^ "Chisholm, Hugh, (22 Feb. 1866–29 Sept. 1924), Editor of the Encyclopædia Britannica (10th, 11th and 12th editions)", Who Was Who, Oxford University Press, 2007-12-01, retrieved 2023-04-25
  2. ^ "Why Is a Hippodrome so Called?, n.d." scientific-know-how.com. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  3. ^ ""The London Hippodrome, Hippodrome Corner, Cranbourn Street, City of Westminster". www.arthurlloyd.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-4-25". The Lancet. 155 (4001): 1315–1317. 1900-05. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(01)97366-0. ISSN 0140-6736. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Cartwright, Mark. "The Hippodrome of Constantinople". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  5. ^ Cartwright, Mark. "The Hippodrome of Constantinople". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  6. ^ Teeter, Timothy M. (1988). "A Note on Charioteer Inscriptions". The Classical World. 81 (3): 219. doi:10.2307/4350165. ISSN 0009-8418.
  7. ^ Potter, David; Mattingly, David, eds. (2010). Life, Death, and Entertainment in the Roman Empire. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press. ISBN 978-0-472-03428-4.
  8. ^ [1] Archived 2006-12-07 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "Horse Racecourse In Ancient Olympia Discovered After 1600 Years". ScienceDaily.
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