Roman Circus

The circus is one of the most important recreational facilities in Roman cities. Together with the theater and the amphitheater, it formed the trilogy of facilities meant to entertain and amuse the citizens. Intended for horse races and performances commemorating major events of the Empire—some of which were even naval battles, for which the arena was filled with water.

The circus was inspired by Greek hippodromes and stadiums, although it was much larger in scale. The arena, the surface where the races took place, was very elongated and was divided in two by the spina, generally made up of architectural elements such as columns, obelisks… thus forming two equal lanes. All of this was surrounded by the cavea or maemiana, that is, the stands, which were semicircular at the ends.

The Existence of the Circus in Roman Córdoba

It seems clear that Roman Córdoba, then the capital of Baetica and the seat of the imperial cult in the province, must have had a circus among its entertainment buildings. But of course, stated this way it seems more like a supposition than a certainty, so it needs to be supported with more data.

An inscription from the late 2nd century A.D. or early 3rd century A.D. has been preserved, stating that L. Iunius Paulinus, duumvir (High Magistrate of the Colony) of the city and flamen of the Baetica province, held theatrical, gladiatorial, and of course, circus shows in the city. On the other hand, at the beginning of the last century, an exceptional mosaic was found on the site of the former Convent of La Merced, now the Provincial Council. Interestingly, it was decorated with a depiction of a victorious charioteer. A common theme, it could be a mere coincidence, but it might also indicate that the owner of the house was an avid fan of the horse races held at the city’s circus.

Archaeological Remains and Location

Even more significant are the remains found in the gardens of the Palacio de Orive during excavations carried out between 1992 and 1999. These remains have been documented as the foundation walls of the northern cavea of the Roman Circus, which would place the building outside the city walls and facing the Temple on Claudio Marcelo Street. Scholars even speak of an architectural complex for imperial worship formed by both buildings, which may also have served as the Provincial Forum of the city during the early imperial period.

Chronology and Abandonment of the Building

Today we know that the Roman Circus was in use from the mid-1st century A.D. to the mid-2nd century A.D., and it is commonly accepted that the inauguration and subsequent consecration of the complex took place during the reign of Domitian, a period that also saw the construction of a new aqueduct, which was precisely responsible for supplying water to this part of the city.

In the last quarter of the 2nd century A.D., the Roman Circus was in a state of ruin; however, several preserved inscriptions mention evergetes who financed circus games in the city at the end of the 2nd and beginning of the 3rd century, a time when the building was not in use. This led historians to suppose that a second circus might have been built in the city, prompting the abandonment of the first, likely due to structural issues.

Visits to the Roman Circus of Córdoba

If you wish to discover the Roman Circus of Córdoba, do not hesitate to book one of our guided tours. We are experts in the interpretation of Córdoba’s historical heritage. If you have chosen to do some tourism in Córdoba, choose a quality option—choose ArtenCórdoba.

Text: J.A.S.C.