Chariot races were usually popular to the Roman masses. The Roman elites, on the other hand, disliked the sport. They felt that it was childish and unremarkable. This is why the roman elites felt that there was a scandal when Emperor Nero showed his enthusiasm for the sport. He had his own chariot and horses and participated in some events. Though the elites disliked this, the masses endeared Nero.
The chariot races were held the Circus Maximus. This stadium we a huge oval shape and held about 200,000 spectators. There were two parallel sides and a rounded end for seats and the other rounded end contained the stables. In the center of the stadium was the spina, a low wall with decorative sculptures which told the spectators what lap it was.
Each chariot race was seven laps. As many as twelve chariots could race at one time. Each chariot was light and each driver was either a slave or a freedman. There were four teams: red, blue, white, and green. This sport was brutal.When they chariots overturn or the are thrown off, drivers died from being dragged to death or trampled by horses. The dangers of this sport made it very expensive but also very profitable.