Circo Variano
Historic site · Esquilino, Italy
The circus of the imperial residential complex called Ad Spem Veterem, which also comprised the Palazzo Sessoriano and the Anfiteatro Castrense. It was originally 630 metres long and 125 metres wide and was later reduced to 565 metres; the western, starting side was found inside the Aurelian Walls and the curved eastern end lay at via Alcamo.
History
The circus is named for Elagabalus, Sesto Vario Avito Bassiano. It was begun by Septimius Severus, who reigned from 193 to 211, and completed by Elagabalus, 218-222. The obelisk that stood on its spina, the Antinous obelisk, is now on the Pincio. The northern side later carried the last stretch of the Acqua Felice. It was last excavated in 1959.
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