The familia quadrigaria, in the Ludi Circenses: the administrators of chariot races in Ancient Rome

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The circus games of Ancient Rome became popular from the beginning of the Imperial Era, expanding across Roman territories, even in Late Antiquity. In the circus, various spectacles made up the ludi, made possible by an organization composed of freedmen, slaves, free men, and the infamous class. The familia quadrigaria, an administrative and social institution, brought together different social classes around the factio (of distinct colors). The union of the factiones formed a collegium, and each familia quadrigaria had 25 decuriones (250 members per team).
OBJECTIVE: This text discusses the familia quadrigaria and its role in the Ludi Circenses in Ancient Rome.
METHODS: From the historical and interpretative focus, this paper used the works of Vendramini (2022), Clavel-Lévêque (1984), and Corassin (2000), among others, were used. Initially, bibliographic research and the Perseus Digital Library collection were used to survey works on the subject, such as Smith & Wayte (1890, online), and, about the images, the collection of the Archaeological Museum of Bologna, Italy, was used. The book “De Spectaculis” by Tertullian was used in the documentary research.
RESULTS: The relationship between emperors, ordinary people, and chariot races is discussed throughout the text, demonstrating the joyful communication channel with the cosmos and the community and the preservation of rituals, festivities, and practices carried out in circuses.
CONCLUSION: The different roles of the people involved in the charioteer family reveal how close the games were to the activities of professionals, artisans, and artists, involving the emperors and the ordinary people in the joy of the fans in the disputes to win and in the bets on the favorite teams. Thus, the circus games were more than simply offering “bread and circuses” in Ancient Rome.