One of my favourite details from the original Red Rising trilogy, is that no one ever came close to guessing or even suspecting that Darrow wasn’t a gold.

It shows the inherent flaw in their sense of superiority. Octavia had Darrow right there in front of her, with an Oracle wrapped around his arm, and even though she suspected he was a Son of Ares, she never asked if he was anything other than gold, didn’t even come close.

Adrius and Virginia are geniuses, but still, neither of them could have possibly fathomed that Darrow was a red until they had the concrete evidence of his carving right in front of them.

To this day (in canon) the only reason anyone knows Darrow is a red carved to be gold, is because the video evidence of his carving was leaked (initially from Harmony, and later from others).

No one, no matter how intelligent, practical, paranoid, cautions, clever or skeptical, ever figured out about Darrow’s carving through their own suspicion or means of investigation. They were either in on it from the beginning (Dancer, Mickey, Quicksilver, etc) or they were shown video evidence. No one figured it out themselves or “unravelled the mystery” so to speak. Because no one even knew there was a mystery.

And before people say “it was extremely unlikely, they had no reason to suspect” Yes, Darrow’s carving was incredibly difficult and expensive, but the same procedure was performed on Titus not long after, so how rare or hard could it be? We even get a dialogue from Mustang in Golden Son in which she details that different colours go to carvers all the time to have “intrinsic” parts of themselves altered, far more often than the public realizes. So the possibility should have been on Octavia’s radar, but it wasn’t, because she simply couldn’t fathom it. It was too obscure.

How could a red be the spitting image of what gold society idealizes? How could a red be so tall, strong, and beautiful? How could a red graduate top of the Institute, become a peerless scarred, a Lancer, her own grandson’s celebrity hero? Neither her nor Nero or Lorn or even Adrius were capable of even entertaining the idea. It was not a thought that was ever going to occur to them naturally.

And I really love that, from a narrative perspective, because it says so much about how the Society operates and upholds itself. It says so much about how high on their own egos golds really are. It says so much about how the colours are not as different from one another as golds would have them believe.

Cassian Andor: What? To steal from the Empire? What do you need? A uniform, some dirty hands and an Imperial tool kit. They're so proud of themselves, they don't even care. They're so fat and satisfied, they can't imagine it.

Luthen Rael: Can't imagine what?

Cassian Andor: That someone like me would ever get inside their house, walk their floors, spit in their food, take their gear.

Andor (2022-)

You ever think about how painfully awkward the ride home from the Institute must have been for the Augustus family?

I get the vibe that Darrow declaring his allegiance at the closing ceremony was kind of a rarity, so I assume everyone went home with their families for at least a little bit before they were offered jobs and positions in other houses.

And obviously I know this isn’t how it went down but in my head its just Augustus, mustang, the jackal, and Darrow in a car together. Augustus makes mustang and the jackal sit in the back so Darrow can have shotgun. The jackal keeps glaring daggers at mustang but she’s looking resolutely out the window pretending he’s not there. The silence is oppressive. Darrow tries to turn the radio on but Augustus slaps his hand away. Adrius asks if they can stop by the hospital to get his hand checked out but Augustus ignores him. Hospitals are for winners, he says. Darrow wants to die.

House Augustus Crest:

Do you think darrow would have liked the bellona family if he ever got to meet them?

If Darrow met the Bellonas when they weren't beating him up and peeing on him, I think Darrow would like many, if not most of them. He liked Julian and Cassius, despite not wanting to like them. Tiberius sounds a bit like Diomedes or Lorn, so I think Darrow would respect him. At the end of Red Rising, when Nero is trying to recruit Darrow, Darrow thinks angrily about how these families are all fake. They are just teams with no love! And while he's thinking that, he's seeing Cassius and his dad hugging and crying about Julian, and I'm like, Darrow, I know you're understandably emotional right now, but I'm getting the impression that the Augustuses and the Bellonas do not deserve to be described in the same way.

Even with the bloodfeud against him, Darrow had some moments in Golden Son when he felt bad about what he was doing to the Bellona family. He knew they weren't all Julias and Karnuses. It would have been really interesting for him to be a Bellona lancer, because he might have grown attached to the family. Perhaps he would have considered reform over revolution? Probably not, or at least not very seriously. At least working for horrible Nero helped him keep his goals very clearly in mind.

in this reread, now that I have space and time to actually evaluate stuff like this, it’s so fascinating to compare and contrast Darrow with different characters. Like recognizing that Adrius and Darrow are truly mirrors of each other-except one has the capacity for compassion and care for other people and the other does not. How does this impact their actions, their relationships, their timelines? Darrow and the ArchGovernor are very similar in many ways as well. Again, we see them differ in the conditionality of their care, where they draw the line, and what they value above all else. Looking at Lorn and Darrow is heartbreakingly interesting. All of them lend to so much speculation on where I think Darrow’s story will end up by the end of Red God. So bloodydamn fascinating!

“I will forsake my father. I will abandon my name. I will be your sword. Nero au Augustus, I will make my purpose your glory.”

Those watching grasp at the sudden proclamation. Others curse at the impropriety, at the gall of Augustus. Does he have no sense of decency? My master kisses the top of my head and whispers their words and I do my best to cage the fury that has made me a thing sharper than Red. Harder than Gold.

“Darrow, Lancer of House Augustus. Rise, there are duties for you to fill. Rise, there are honors for you to take. Rise for glory, for power, for conquest and domination over lesser men. Rise, my son. Rise.”

-Red Rising

🍦 ⇢ name three good things about a character you hate

🍦 ⇢ name three good things about a character you hate

I had some trouble picking this and I couldn’t really pick from Stormlight (any character I hate at first I learn to thirst after, haha) so I chose from Red Rising instead, the series of books I read right before Stormlight. It’s not that I hate her except I kinda do, while also understanding I can’t relate to women characters and knowing she’s complex. Anyway this is about Virginia au Augustus/Mustang. 

I’ll try to be vague about spoiler details. 

(a) I love that she takes after her dad. Her dad’s a complicated murderous maniac corrupt on power, and she takes on his paranoia as an adult that I find really narratively compelling. (You’re married to the main character guy with plot armor? You probably should be scared, this is sci-fi) She grew up in a family of objectively bad people. I love that she’s finding those symptoms in herself, despite how hard she tries. Despite how it got them killed. Despite, despite, despite.

(b) Her complex view on morality. Sure, fake-dating a guy one-sided just to get access to his family is one thing, but you some guy who I’m not even dating lied to me about something I would have never guessed? That crosses a line. I think it’s really easy to get frustrated with people disliking the series’s Main Character, and while I was, I also was really fascinated with what made her stop and start. 

(c) I love her lesbian relationship (/noncanon) with Holliday. Fuck yeah, queen empress and attack dog trope. I don’t think Pierce Brown leans heavily enough on gold or red motifs for her. She could use some more. Honestly, Pierce Brown isn’t super into leitmotifs, but I wish he was. Mustang has some real potential!

Send me a truth or dare.

I love this scene. I love you, Virginia au Augustus forever and ever. I laughed my ass off at the "good. Now shove that idea up your ass."

The woman that you are 😍🙏🙏

Also one thing about this scene that kind of strikes me is the similarities between Mustang and the Jackal. Obviously, there's similarities because they're siblings but think about this... They're both very good at playing people. Hell, Mustang even says it point blank in Darrow's face that she knowingly does this. She is aware of her strengths just as Jackal is and actively uses it in social situations.

The difference is that Mustang does it for what she believes is a cause worth fighting for. The jackal does it for himself. He has no one who truly and genuinely trusts and loves him because of it. I honestly think of him as a wild animal snapping at everyone and every thing around him. And that's not to say I'm excusing him, ofc I'm not. He's made his bed and he should lie in it. But it can't be denied that in an alternative universe Virginia might very well had slipped into jackal territory. Except, she had the love of their father and those around her. (The telemanuses for instance too!) Meanwhile Nero actively avoids/makes no secret of his dislike of Adrius and everyone around them knows something is just not right about him.

What's that saying about kids would burn a whole village to feel its warmth or whatever??

Yeah :)

"Of Bridges Built and Burned" 👀

I really like the title

I think i'm a genius with titles haha

tagging @moodyseal because this is based off some clowning we did together

So. Moody had let slip about a certain "how Commodus could be redeemed" au and I slid into the ask box and we clowned out over it.

Anyway. It's Copollo (obviously- this is ME we're talking about haha) and begins with Apollo and Commodus conveniently being stuck in the same place in TDP and have to talk/scream their dirty laundry out.

This, of course, brings certain things to light. Because, if I recall correctly, Apollo was never the one to bring up The Assassination - Commodus was always the one doing that and getting angry about it.

However, Apollo never did- he only ever talked about it in detail to Jo, then gave the Sparknotes to Leo & Meg. He never actually talked about it, and therefore never spoke of what drove him to do it.

Which means, Commodus doesn't know the real reason(s) why Apollo killed him. He just assumes Apollo didn't love him as much as he thought- but that's where he's wrong! >:)

So imagine them stuck in that room, Commodus ranting and raving about how Apollo's such a traitor, and a lier, you gave me your blessings and then murdered me, you never cared did you? and Apollo's sitting there just taking it until- fuck this shit- and starts yelling back at Commodus, about how people were going to kill him anyway but Apollo couldn't bear to let anybody kill him but him (because that's very healthy, right?🤡) and when he's done they're both standing there in silence.

Oh yeah. While that's happening they've had to work together to get out of the place so when they do get out they just. awkwardly go separate ways.

BUT WE'RE NOT FINISHED YET!

Apollo and company are in a situation (probably because of Caligula) and lo and behold, Commodus does something to help 'em out.

Because reasons.

Then when everything's said and done- Nero's dead, Python's dead, all the fasces and fascists are destroyed...

Commodus is still alive. And now I, Alder, slap on my "start combining history and RRverse" hat and give u a small history lesson! :D

In Ancient Rome, emperors were deified by the Senate. Notable examples are Caesar Augustus, Marcus Aurelius, and...Commodus.

Nero and Caligula were not.

Interesting how Commodus is the only Triumvirate emperor who's been historically deified...

and if we factor that lil' history nugget into this AU...who's to say Copollo still can't prevail? (🤡)

Of course, now I must direct your attention to the "Burned" part of the title. As much as it pains my Copollo shipper heart, neither of them have to forgive/forget what the other has done, and therefore simply may not ever speak to each other ever again- Apollo would leave Commodus be, provide he doesn't go back onto more "end the world" things- and that would be the end of their story.

Painful. Tragic. I love it and them.

though i wouldn't be opposed to them getting back together eventually either...

and Meg dragging them to couples' therapy. and both of them to a therapist in general.

They both need to desperately sort out their own issues before anything, especially if they do reignite their relationship.

Because ah...they were both doing some heavy projecting-of-issues onto the other.

although that's part of the reason why i love them so much they're so toxic and entertaining it's so good

I think I’ve pinpointed the reason I’m enamored with Lysander

It goes back to my obsession with Nero au Augustus. But Lysander wishes he was as cool

Roman emperors in the post apocalyptic era AU story (untranslated bc I’m lazy) Pt. 2

April 20th, 2030

Ava woke up. “No one else is up?” She thought before going to make food. Ava started singing quietly so no one woke up. “Ava?” Kylee whispered. “Why are you up this early? It’s 4 in the morning.”

“I was hungry.” Ava said.

“Why? It’s 4 in the morning.” Kylee said.

“I know.. but-”

“Creepy dreams?” Kylee asked.

“Yeah… but of everyone dying this time…” Ava said. Kylee pulled Ava into a hug. “K-Kylee?…” Ava asked, tearing up.

“You need a hug. Don’t get use to me hugging you so often this early in the morning. Besides, is it your birthday?” Kylee asked.

“Yes, why?”

“Happy birthday.” Kylee said before leaving. Ava was stoked to hear Kylee say that. “Alright, back to cooking.” Ava thought. Later, everyone was awake. “See you around!” Ava said, waving the emperors (and dictator) goodbye.

The emperors came upon a locked gate to the playground. Nero and Caligula jumped over while the others climbed. “Augustus…” Claudius said. “You got bit…”

Augustus looked surprised. “Kill him or leave him.” Caesar said.

“You tried to kill him when you thought he got bit last time. I say leave him.” Domitian said. The other emperors agreed. “Fine. Sorry Augustus.”

“When I find you I am probably going to be covered in zombie blood.”

“Zombie killing zombies? That is the first.” Caligula said.

“Shut up.” Augustus said.

The next morning a gun was fired. Everyone woke up. “Was that?-” Nero asked

“Maybe.” Galba said.

I wouldn’t call it a gamble because no succession system existed or was developed excluded from other political-administrative institutions, and were normally aligned with religion. By this I mean the succession of the leader reflects a worldview from a certain people. Because in most cultures the ruler in a monarchy receives the right to rule, and the legitimacy to keep ruling, through the will of the deity. You can find this in the divine rights of kings in European tradition, but also in the Mandate of Heaven invested on Chinese emperors. So the system by itself isn’t a gamble, it develops organically with the community and its institutions. But yes, masculine primogeniture involves a strike of luck regarding the ruler’s capability. But this is something that also happens in other successions. The Romans, Greeks, Chinese, Persians, Arabs all had to contend with minorities and regencies. That is, the choice fell on a child or teenager, therefore it also depends on luck. See what happened with China in the 19th Century, they had three minorities one after the other, specifically designed and intended to keep power in the hands of the regent, the Empress Dowager Cixi. This ended up nullifying the emperor as a political institution and started the period known as ‘the century of humiliations’.

The thing is, in the Barbarian au we don’t have a single succession system. We haven’t defined one for the Romans or the Huns. In fact, as I mentioned earlier, the Romans of the late Empire succeeded one another almost father-to-son, based on the accumulation of power on the position of emperor. Now, to abridge the matter, Roman imperial dynasties found its legitimacy in the figure of its founder. The first imperial dynasty, the Julio-Claudian dynasty, started with Octavius Augustus and ended with Nero and based its right to rule in their familial connections to Julius Caesar. The Theodosian Dynasty based its right to rule in the familial connections to Emperor Theodosius I ‘the Great’. Blood wasn’t the most important factor, but it certainly mattered. Even if the adopted children – already grown men with their own children sometimes – weren’t father and son, they had some consanguinity. Octavius Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, was biologically the great-nephew of Julius Caesar and his adopted son. In turn, Tiberius, the second emperor, was married to Julia, Augustus’s daughter. Also, we must bear in mind that ‘adoption’ for the Romans isn’t ‘adoption’ for us today, it is more in the sense of submitting under the authority of the pater familia’s (‘father of the family’) in order to be recognized as part of their own family.

For the Huns, however, we don’t have any surviving records. Everything we know about Hunnic culture stems from the writings of Jordanes, the western Roman imperial emissary to Attila’s court in present day Hungary. We know, however, that the Huns themselves stem from the people presently known as the Mongols. The Huns were the ‘European Mongols’ in a sense. And we know for a fact that Mongolian traditional succession was invested in a ceremony called Kurultai where the chiefs and potential successors, usually children of the previous ruler, would congregate in their homeland and choose among themselves who had the best claim. This normally involved who had the best military capabilities or feats. This method is unabashedly tribal and would certainly be repudiated as barbaric by the Romans, who had more sophisticated techniques and criteria. On the other hand, Roman-style adoption of adult men was repudiated and seen as subversive. Many centuries later, none other than Genghis Khan himself, the greatest Mongol Khan ever, tried to impose his adoptive son as successor, and the war that followed broke the largest territorial empire ever created in four.

For me at least, part of the fun in the Barbarian au is trying to conciliate the two very different cultures Eren and Mikasa represent and rule over through their love. Roman society slowly became more Germanized as Germanic peoples crossed the border in the great migration movement from the 4th and 5th Centuries a. D., Attila being an important factor in pushing the Germans into the Empire’s territory. So which criterium prevails, then? In my opinion, blood is the only element capable of unifying their cultures at this point.

Fun fact, for a long time it was claimed that the Hungarians were descended from the Huns. Which is why we call it HUNgary in Latin and German-based languages. In Hungarian they are Magyars. The medieval kings of Hungary even claimed direct descent from Attila the Hun as a source of legitimacy and had Attila’s Sword included in their royal indumenta. It is now known this sword is a forgery made in the 9th Century and that Hungarians are a Uralic people and not related to the Huns, who are Mongolian in origin. But it would be fun to have Eren’s famous sword passed to his son and to the generations forward.

my beautiful history anon. i think the sword being passed down would be a great addition tbh. and the inheritance in this au would certainly be by blood as their kids would be the ones from both sides. so that’s inevitable. always happy to see you in my inbox. made my day brighter

Sons of Ares Volume III Thoughts (SPOILER WARNING)

The ebook version of Forbidden Song is out so I impulse bought it to read and get all the juicy details I could, and holy bloodydamn shit am I glad I did. this is easily the best of the 3 Sons of Ares arcs, especially as it pertains to my timeline and lore notes.

I’m putting my spoiler-filled thoughts under the cut

We get flashbacks to the fall of Augustus in Nero’s childhood and his courtship with Iona au Bellona!!

Brief little guest scenes featuring Claudius and Karnus, along with confirmation of how old Karnus is (he’s 11 years older than Darrow)!

FITCHNER BEING JUST AS MUCH OF A “HIDE SHIT FROM THE AUDIENCE FOR THE SAKE OF DRAMA AND TWISTS” GUY AS DARROW IS!!! I am not kidding when I say that That part of Morning Star now has some competition for the title of “fake character death that makes readers want to quit reading”

We got the construction of Tinos and Fitchner becoming Proctor of House Mars.

More evidence to the “Quicksilver is shady” pile because Fitchner makes a comment implying he knew about Occulus, indicating that it was already built and running in secret by 725 PCE.

More details on character backstories - turns out, Harmony has been with the Sons of Ares longer than Dancer has.

AND KAVAX AU TELEMANUS!!!!!!!! Kavax was easily one of my favorite parts of this comic and I’m now worried about his survival in Light Bringer because Forbidden Song reveals just how influential he was to setting the events of the novel in motion. For one, because there’s a hint that Kavax inspired the card trick that Dancer uses to test Darrow in Red Rising. And for another, KAVAX IS THE REASON THAT FITCHNER WAS A PROCTOR IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!

Nero au Augustus' greatest serve:

They were the perfect couple, a marriage that ended old rivalries and created a new powerouse.

'Do you think we shall ever be parted my love?!

'Never. Keep on like that and I'll start to think you've lost your head.'

Hail @violethowler for screenshots

I'm wondering what if julian lived would that change the course of the story a lot?

I think it really would! That one death made a big impact.

Obviously, if Julian had killed Darrow, that would make for a very short series! 😆 I assume, though, that we're talking about a situation in which Julian was paired with someone else at the Institute and won or even just hadn't gone to the Institute. @randomnoteforfuturereference planted the thought in my head years ago of Howler Julian, and I love the idea! Julian hanging with Sevro's misfits and finding his own power after being underestimated all his life. Cassius not really being sure how he feels about this development. It's all good!

If Julian survives, then he, Cassius, and Darrow would likely all be friends by the time the Institute ends. Now, without the conflict between Cassius and Darrow, it's hard to say if Darrow would have emerged as quite the leader as he did in RR, but I believe he'd pull off something impressive. If he's friends with the Bellona twins, though, then he'd likely choose to work for their family, even if he'd still gotten close with Mustang. The Bellona and Augustus families were both very powerful, so he might as well choose the one that isn't led by Eo's killer. With Darrow no longer choosing House Augustus, Nero doesn't get to use picking up the ArchPrimus to distract from his crazy son's defeat. House Bellona wins this round, whether it's Darrow as ArchPrimus or Cassius, and the balance of power tips in their favor, more than they even suspect by having Darrow on their side rather than on Augustus's. So then I'm not sure if the war between their houses even gets started. Though, if it does, it might not be Darrow who lights that fuse. Perhaps it would be the Jackal, whom Nero reluctantly decides to give more authority for lack of many options.

And then, I don't know where the story goes from there, especially for Darrow and the Rising. I'd like to think that Cassius and Julian get on board with the Rising even sooner than it took Cassius in the books. We saw Julian be a bit of a follower to Cassius, but we know that Cassius very much cared what Julian thought of him and said he turned on the Society in honor of Julian. So, it could be that Julian could be the leader in this instance.

Circus Maximus

Circus Maximus ⋆ Im Süden der Stadt Rom ⋆ Topographie

Circus Maximus ⋆ Im Süden der Stadt Rom ⋆ Topographie

Wenn im Circus Renntag ist, sei jedes Mal zur Stelle! Denn weil der Raum viele Menschen fasst, ergibt sich hier manch Nettes. Geheime Fingerzeichen brauchst du nicht zu schicken, die Antwort fällt hier klarer aus, und ist kein bloßes Nicken. Setz dreist dich zu einer Dame - daran hindert dich niemand -, so dass ihre Seite möglichst eng neben deiner ist. Und wenn sie ab rückt, rücke ihr einfach nach! Die Bank hat schließlich auch ein Ende. Dort fällt sie dir dann spätestens in die Hände. Zum Zwiegespräch such irgendeinen Anlass ohne Zögern. Erzähle, wovon ein jeder heute spricht, das bringt euch schnell ins Plaudern. Du kannst sie dann auch höflich bitten, dir einen Wett-Tipp zu geben. Dann setze, egal wer es ist, auf ihren Favoriten. Hinterher, wenn sich die Sieger im Festzug reihen, dann juble der Frau Venus zu und zeig dich ihr ergeben. (Ovid) Ovid gab damals den Besuchern des Circus Maximus Ratschläge zur erfolgreichen Liebesanbahnung. Die Liebe zum Circus und den darin stattfindenden Wagenrennen war den Römern praktisch in die Wiege gelegt. Bereits zur Zeit der Stadtgründung war das Vallis Murcia zwischen dem Palatin und dem Aventin Schauplatz von Wagenrennen. Das Rennen, mit denen wohl auch Romulus die Sabiner samt Frauen und ihren Töchtern nach Rom lockte, soll ebenfalls hier stattgefunden haben. Anfangs saßen die Zuschauer auf der Erde oder auf mitgebrachten Sitzgelegenheiten. Später wurde auf fest verbauten Holzsitzen Platz genommen, welche im Lauf der Zeit durch Steinstufen ersetzt wurden. Ende des vierten Jahrhunderts v. Chr. baute man hölzerne Boxen (carcares) an der nördlichen, geraden Schmalseite, in denen die Wagen auf den Start des Rennens warteten. Um diese Zeit muss wohl auch die Spina angelegt worden sein, der schmale Streifen in der Mitte der Rennbahn, der die beiden Bahnen voneinander trennt. 196 v. Chr. wurde das Tor an der gebogenen Schmalseite durch einen Triumphbogen ersetzt und 174 die ersten gemauerten Carcares errichtet. Gleichzeitig installierte man auf der Spina sieben Marmoreier, mit deren Hilfe (durch das Umkippen) die Runden gezählt wurden und die 33 v. Chr. durch Agrippa um sieben silberne Delphine ergänzt wurden. Augustus ließ 10 v. Chr. einen Obelisken von Ramses II. aus Heliopolis auf der Spina aufstellen, der heute auf der Piazza del Popolo steht. Eine zweite Sonnennadel stellte 357 n. Chr. Constantius II. auf, die heute vor San Giovanni in Laterano steht. In der augustineischen Zeit war der Circus rund 621 Meter lang, 118 Meter breit und fasste bereits 150.000 Zuschauer. 36 n. Chr. kam es zu einem Brand, der umfangreiche Arbeiten nötig machte. Caligula und Claudius bauten neue Carcares aus Marmor und installierten goldene Metae (konische Gebilde, die die Wendepunkte an beiden Enden der Rennbahn markierten. Im großen Feuer zu Neros Regierungszeit wurde erneut fast alles vernichtet. Der Brand war an der gebogenen Seite des Circus Maximus ausgebrochen. Nero ließ den Circus wieder aufbauen und wohl auch etwas vergrößern. Plinius spricht nun von 250.000 Sitzplätzen. Vespasian und Titus ersetzten später den alten Triumphbogen. Bis in die Spätantike gab es immer wieder Umbauten und im 4. Jahrhundert ist von etwa 385.000 Sitzplätzen die Rede. Der Bau war zuletzt etwa 600 Meter lang und 200 Meter breit. Die Spina maß etwa 340 Meter, war 5,80 Meter breit und 1,75 Meter hoch. Die Doppeltore der zwölf Startboxen ließen sich exakt durch einen Mechanismus gleichzeitig öffnen. Die Zuschauer nahmen auf den drei jeweils von Arkaden getragenen Rängen Platz, wobei die obersten Reihen aus Holz bestanden. Im Circus Maximus fanden vor allem Wagenrennen statt, die sehr beliebt waren. Die wichtigsten Rennserien waren die »Ludi Romani«, die zwei Wochen dauerten und jährlich vom 4. bis zum 18. September stattfanden. Meistens hatten die zwei- vier- oder sieben-spännigen Wagen sieben Runden zurückzulegen. Schreckliche Unfälle an den Wendemarken und/oder spektakuläre Überholmanöver sorgten immer für aufregenden Nervenkitzel. Viele Rennen wurden pro Tag abgehalten, und wer als Fahrer Erfolg hatte, der konnte auch sehr reich und berühmt werden. Ein gewisser Diokles soll so an einem einzigen Tag zweimal 40.000 Sesterzen gewonnen haben. Die vier rivalisierenden Factiones (Rennställe) der Weißen, Roten, Grünen und Blauen (Albata, Russata, Prasina, Veneta) traten gegeneinander an. Sie verfügten über gut organisierte und nicht selten fanatische Fans. Wer wollte, der konnte damals bereits auf seine Favoriten wetten. In der Spät-Antike gesellte sich zu den Rivalitäten zwischen den Factiones auch noch eine politische Dimension hinzu, und es kam nach den Rennen häufig zu regelrechten Straßenschlachten zwischen den unterschiedlichen Parteien. Heute ist der Circus Maximus noch gut zu erkennen und wird von den Römern als Jogging-Bahn, zum Spaziergang oder zum Ausführen von Vierbeinern genutzt. Von den Tribünen und der Architektur selbst ist nicht mehr viel übrig. Nur an der gebogenen Schmalseite im Süden sind noch Überreste zu erkennen, die von einem Wiederaufbau unter Trajan stammen. Der Turm, der dort zu sehen ist, stammt aus dem Mittelalter. Der Rest der Anlage liegt unter einer dicken Erdschicht begraben und kann, wegen des hohen Grundwasserspiegels, derzeit nicht freigelegt werden. Circus Maximus ⋆ Im Süden der Stadt Rom ⋆ Topographie Read the full article