Chariots of Rome

Rome, 10 BC: Caesar Augustus has erected a mighty obelisk in the center of the Circus Maximus in tribute to his conquest of Egypt. Filling the arena are more than 150,000 Romans of all classes, from Senator to slave. While this is normally an uncommon sight, they have assembled to watch the ludi circenses, the chariot races.

Banners of the Red, White, Green, and Blue factions wave in the stands as the fans cheer on their favorite drivers and teams. Soon, the thunder of a dozen quadriga, four-horse-drawn chariots, will roar as they race at breakneck speeds. Only the whims of the gods and the skill of the drivers, or aurigae, will determine the victor.