How to drive your chariot in the Circus Maximus

Avoid the first race of the day, don’t hug the barrier, slash the reins if you crash – and you just might make it through your first day driving a chariot in the Circus Maximus.

For a safer approach to ancient history, try my book “Naked Statues, Fat Gladiators, and War Elephants: Frequently Asked Questions about the Ancient Greeks and Romans.”

I can be found elsewhere on the web:

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:05 Choosing a faction
3:10 Driving your chariot
3:43 The right horses
4:22 A day at the Circus
4:53 Avoiding collisions
5:46 Managing turns
6:39 If you crash
7:03 Conclusion

Thanks for watching!

[sirsynth]

0:41 "I packed my toga": Obviously the sender of the email did not remember your good advice on clothing as a toga was a sign of citizenship. Therefore upon arrival questions would be asked, he would be prosecuted and as a non-citizen he would probably end up in another favourite spectacle, but as a victim rather than a contender. Your legal disclaimer will save you from prosecution and he will die. RIP standing for "ripped into parts" by some exotic animal or so.
Great episode - thanks; and starting to look for your book today ;-)

[dB]

100% supreme quality infotainment with distinguished understanding for the scaffolding that is holding together the internet. Memeability

[cerberus]

"Caracalla was a fan of the Blues". Well, he also liked Swing and occasionally hosted Big Band concerts at the Baths!

[MotorbikeMike]

"I am not legally responsible for anything that happens in the past" haha xD

[perceivedvelocity]

That was sound advice. Also, I really appreciate the disclaimer. It would be a tragedy if the family of a foolish time traveler took you to court. Every time traveler should be responsible for their own actions IMO.

[rogerdines]

If only my Latin lessons 60 years ago had been as stimulating and interesting!

[thompkins]

"If you ain't first, you're last" - Rickitus Bobbicus

[rickb]

Bedankt! Bribing my way onto the track

[windwardhaven]

While watching this, couldn't help but recall the amazing chariot race in "Ben Hur" (1959; not 2016, 1925, 1907 versions).

[boataxe]

The most important thing about being a chariot racer is to look good and to make sure that you thank all of the sponsors.

[thedativecase]

I binged on a lot of your videos last night - and found them some of the most educational, entertaining and informative I've ever watched. They do precisely what the BBC was originally set up to do- and rarely does any more. I like your rather humorously dry type of presentation too. I'm buying your book as a birthday present for a History loving friend.

[GR-gkdh]

This guy looks like one of the Roman statues of emperors which have been reconstructed using ai

[sandworms]

This has already been said but I'll say it anyway - this guy's features look like a roman emperor/statue you'd see in a museum. A fitting narrator

[michaelfisher]

I wish I'd learned Latin. I'd like to spend a day as a news reader and caller in the Forum, like the portly fellow in HBO's Rome. "The Guild of Millers uses only the finest grains. True Roman bread, for true Romans."

[theknave]

/deadpan sigh.
"Not dying in the Circus Maximus."
Totally lost it!
Tears of laughter. :)

[fanroche]

The Circus was originally where gladiatorial competitions took place as it existed long before the Flavian ampitheatre .
It was also a cracking site to see Bruce Springsteen ...though the portable toilets were possibly smellier than ancient rome !!

[DrThrustbone]

Love this series, hope we se a new entry sometime soon!

[bchoward]

Fantastic opening. Love your sense of humor.

[semprelazio]

For a minute there I was daydreaming of rolling around behind my horses trying to cut myself loose only to find a stampede of chariots coming my way 😬🐎🐎🐎

These videos are crazy ❤

[Norralin]

I see there's one dislike - given that whoever sent you that question has not yet travelled back in time it is most likely he who has disliked it. Toldinstone, you can take solace in the fact that even though he hasn't travelled back in time yet, he actually has, and he is most likely already mangled and savaged well beyond any means of identification!