The hippodrome ( el, ἱππόδρομος) was an ancient Greek stadium for

horse racing Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic p ...

and chariot racing. The name is derived from the Greek words ''hippos'' (ἵππος; "horse") and ''dromos'' (δρόμος; "course"). The term is used in the modern

French language French ( or ) is a Romance language of the Indo-European family. It descended from the Vulgar Latin of the Roman Empire, as did all Romance languages. French evolved from Gallo-Romance, the Latin spoken in Gaul, and more specifically in Nor ...

and some others, with the meaning of "horse racecourse". Hence, some present-day horse-racing tracks also include the word "hippodrome" in their names, such as the Hippodrome de Vincennes and the Central Moscow Hippodrome. In the English-speaking world the term is occasionally used for theatres.

Overview

The Greek hippodrome was similar to the Roman version, the circus. (The hippodrome was not a Roman amphitheatre, which was used for spectator sports, executions, and displays, or a Greek or Roman semicircular amphitheater used for theatrical performances.) The Greek hippodrome was usually set out on the slope of a hill, and the ground taken from one side served to form the embankment on the other side. One end of the hippodrome was semicircular, and the other end square with an extensive

portico A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls. This idea was widely used in ancient Greece and has influenced many cult ...

, in front of which, at a lower level, were the stalls for the horses and chariots. At both ends of the hippodrome were posts (Greek ''termata'') that the chariots turned around. This was the most dangerous part of the track, and the Greeks put an altar to Taraxippus (disturber of horses) there to show the spot where many chariots wrecked. Οne large ancient hippodrome was the Hippodrome of Constantinople, built between AD 203 and 330. in the English-speaking world ''Hippodrome'' is occasionally used in the names of theatres, after the Hippodrome which opened in London in 1900 "combining circus, hippodrome, and stage performances". In the 20th Century, the term '' Aerodrome'' was created, modeled on ''Hippodrome''.

List of Greek hippodromes

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Delphi Delphi (; ), in legend previously called Pytho (Πυθώ), in ancient times was a sacred precinct that served as the seat of Pythia, the major oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The oracle ...

* Isthmia * Lageion * Mount Lykaion *

Nemea Nemea (; grc, Νεμέα; grc-x-ionic, Νεμέη) is an ancient site in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese, in Greece. Formerly part of the territory of Cleonae in ancient Argolis, it is today situated in the regional unit of Corinthia ...

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List of Roman hippodromes

* Aphrodisias *

Caesarea Maritima Caesarea Maritima (; Greek: ''Parálios Kaisáreia''), formerly Strato's Tower, also known as Caesarea Palestinae, was an ancient city in the Sharon plain on the coast of the Mediterranean, now in ruins and included in an Israeli national park ...

* Gerasa *

Hippodrome of Berytus The hippodrome of Berytus was a circus in the Roman colony of Berytus (modern-day Beirut). It is one of two hippodromes in Beirut. History The hippodrome was built close to the port and forum of Berytus (modern Beirut). It was one of the larg ...

* Hippodrome of Constantinople *

Hippodrome of Thessalonica The hippodrome ( el, ἱππόδρομος) was an ancient Greek stadium for horse racing and chariot racing. The name is derived from the Greek words ''hippos'' (ἵππος; "horse") and ''dromos'' (δρόμος; "course"). The term is used ...

* Tyre Hippodrome * Miróbriga (Mirobriga Celticorum) *

Roman circus of Mérida The Roman circus of Mérida ( es, Circo romano) is a ruined Roman circus in Mérida, Spain. Used for chariot racing, it was modelled on the Circus Maximus in Rome and other circus buildings throughout the Empire. Measuring more than 400&nbs ...

* Roman Stadium of Philippopolis

List of modern horse-racing venues

References

“Hippodrome of Constantinople.” Hippodrome Of Constantinople - Istanbul Tour Studio – Istanbul Guide, https://istanbultourstudio.com/things-to-do/hippodrome-of-constantinople./ref> {{Authority control Ancient chariot racing Ancient Greek buildings and structures Sport in ancient Greece Sports venues by type Harness racing

Overview

List of Greek hippodromes

List of Roman hippodromes

List of modern horse-racing venues

See also

References