The Circus Maximus was important to the Romans because it was the racing track for chariot races. The chariot races, together with the gladiatorial games, were the most popular form of entertainment.
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The Circus Maximus was more of a reflection of Roman culture than an influence of the Romans. The Romans loved chariot races which, together with the gladiatorial games, were the most important forms of entertainment.
The Circus Maximus also has a religious significance. Most religious games which were part of religious festivals involved the Ludi circenses (games at the circus) held at the Circus Maximus: the Ludi Ceriales were part of the Ceralia (in honour of Ceres, a goddess of goddess of agriculture, grain crops) the Ludi Florales, part of the Floralia (in honour of Flora a goddess of flowers and the spring) the Ludi Apollinares (in honour of Apollo a god of light and the sun, truth and prophecy, healing, plague, music, poetry, and more) the Ludi Romani (in honour of Jupiter, (a god of sky and thunder, king of the gods and god of the Roman state). Some of these games were multi-day, multi-venue events. The games were opened with a grand parade (pompa circensis) which marked the purpose of the games and introduced the participants. In these events, the Circus Maximus also hosted plays and recitals, athletics, beast-hunts and gladiatorial combats
Two ludi circenes were held at the Circus Flaminius: the ludi Taurii (in honour of the di inferi, gods of the underworld) and the ludi Plebeii (Plebeian Games). These games involved horseback races instead of chariot races. The Circus Flaminius was too small to host chariot races.
There were seven temples near the track (two in the valley of the Circus, two on the Palatine Hill, three on the Aventine Hill.
Because of its importance, the Circus Maximums was developed in a monumental way. Augustus had the first Egyptian obelisk brought to Rome erected there and built a pulvinar (a roofed portico with an empty throne or cushioned couch for occupation by a deity) and a temple. The arch of Titus was built near its processional entrance. Domitian built a high palace on the nearby Palatine Hill which was connected to the track. Surprisingly, it was only under Trajan (reign 98-117) that the wooden seating was replaced by one in stone despite the track having suffered fires for probably more than six centuries
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A Roman race track was called a "circus" .
Football matches, Bullfighting, Cockfighting, Motor racing, Public demonstrations, all pandering to humanity's addiction to and enjoyment of seeing violence.
No, it was not. The last recorded race took place in 550 BC. After that it fell in disuse. Like much of the Roman structures, it was quarried for building materials and that is how most of it disappeared. Because of the many centuries that have gone by, the track is now 9 metres below the current ground level.