Editing Circus Maximus (section)

{{Short description|Ancient Roman stadium, a landmark of Rome, Italy}}
{{Lead too short|date=April 2025}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Infobox ancient site
| name = Circus Maximus
| image = [[File:CircusMaximusSO.jpg|260px]]
| caption = View of the Circus site from the south-east. The tower in the foreground is part of a medieval fortification.<ref name="auto">{{harvnb|Humphrey|1986|p=57}}</ref>
| location = ''[[Regio XI Circus Maximus]]''
| built = Old Kingdom era
| type = [[Circus (building)|Circus]]
| coordinates = {{WikidataCoord|display=it}}
| map_dot_label = Circus Maximus
| map_label_position = bottom
| map_type = Italy Rome Antiquity
| map_overlay = Roma PlanFXD.jpg
| map_caption = Shown within Augustan Rome
| map_size = 270
| image_size = 300
| mapframe-frame-width = 270
| mapframe = no
| mapframe-caption = Click on the map for a fullscreen view
| mapframe-zoom = 12
| mapframe-marker = monument
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
}}

The '''Circus Maximus''' ([[Latin]] for "largest circus"; [[Italian language|Italian]]: ''Circo Massimo'') is an [[ancient Roman]] [[chariot racing|chariot-racing]] [[stadium]] and mass entertainment venue in [[Rome]], Italy. In the valley between the [[Aventine Hill|Aventine]] and [[Palatine Hill|Palatine]] hills, it was the first and largest stadium in [[ancient Rome]] and its later [[Roman Empire|Empire]]. It measured {{convert|621|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length and {{convert|118|m|ft|abbr=on}} in width and could accommodate over 150,000 spectators.<ref>This is a modern recalculation of the [[seat capacity]] at the Circus, a substantial downward revision of [[Pliny the Elder]]'s estimate of 250,000. For discussion, see {{harvnb|Humphrey|1986|p=126}}</ref> In its fully developed form, it became the model for [[Circus (building)|circuses]] throughout the Roman Empire. The site is now a [[public park]].