After the Colosseum was built, the Circus Maximus remained highly popular, as chariot racing was still a major attraction for the Roman people. However, several key developments shaped its future:

1. Continued Use and Imperial Support

   • The Flavian emperors (Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian), who built the Colosseum, continued to support the Circus Maximus.

   • Later emperors, such as Trajan (98–117 CE) and Hadrian (117–138 CE), expanded and renovated the Circus to maintain its grandeur.

2. Competition for Popularity

   • The Colosseum introduced new types of entertainment, including gladiatorial fights and naval battles (naumachiae), which attracted large crowds.

   • However, chariot racing remained Rome’s favorite sport, especially among the common people. The rivalry between racing teams (Blues, Greens, Reds, and Whites) created a strong fan culture that ensured the Circus Maximus remained an essential part of Roman life.

3. Fires and Reconstructions

   • In 64 CE, a great fire (possibly started by Nero) destroyed much of the wooden structure of the Circus Maximus. Emperor Domitian later rebuilt parts of it in stone.

   • Another fire in 103 CE, during Trajan’s rule, led to further renovations, making the Circus even more impressive with additional seating and structures.

4. Decline in the Later Roman Empire

   • By the 3rd and 4th centuries CE, the Roman Empire faced economic decline and increasing political instability.

   • Christianity’s rise led to the decline of gladiatorial games in the Colosseum, but chariot racing at the Circus Maximus continued to thrive under Christian emperors.

   • Emperor Theodosius I (r. 379–395 CE) banned pagan games, leading to a decline in many Roman entertainments, but chariot races were still permitted.

5. The Fall of Rome and the End of the Circus Maximus

   • After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE, the Circus Maximus lost its former glory.

   • By the 6th century CE, it was mostly abandoned, and materials from its structure were repurposed for other buildings in medieval Rome.

   • In the Middle Ages, the area became farmland, and later, it was used as a public park. shutdown123