Ludi circenses on the 28th August

On the 28th August in ancient Rome, festival games (Ludi circenses) were held at the Circus Maximus in Rome in honour of the deities Sol and Luna. These games must have been an important festival, as Sol was the sun god and Luna was the moon goddess. There was a shrine each to Sol and Luna in the Circus Maximus. Luna was often represented driving a two-yoke chariot (biga) which was drawn by horses or oxen, and paired with Sol, driving a four-horse chariot (quadriga). The quadriga was also, of course, the vehicle used for Roman chariot-racing in circuses.

From Wikipedia: ‘… Ludi circenses were games presented in the circus. The Circus Maximus was primarily a venue for chariot races, but other athletic events, races, and beast hunts might be offered as well. The games were preceded by an opening parade, the pompa circensis. Ludi circenses were regularly featured in celebrating a triumph or dedicating a major building. They were part of the most important holidays and festivals, such as the Floralia, Ludi Romani (“Roman Games”), and Ludi Plebeii (“Plebeian Games”). During the Imperial era, circus games were often added to festivals for which they were not traditionally celebrated in the Republic. Circus games were held in various provinces throughout the empire, as indicated by archaeological remains of tracks and supporting structures, although many areas would have lacked costly permanent facilities and instead erected temporary stands around suitable grounds …’

The Trust has not discovered any evidence of festivals at Colchester’s Roman circus site.

The Trust is not presenting any Ludi circenses at the circus site today…

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