Hippodrome of Atlantis
The Hippodrome of Atlantis (Greek:Ιππόδρομο της Ατλαντίδας, Ippódromo ti̱s Atlantídas) is a circus that is the sporting and social centre of Atlantis, capital of the Diadochian Empire. The modern day Hippodrome is still quite popular with the people.
The Hippodrome is 500 meters (1640.42 feet) long and 180 meters (590.551 feet) wide, with a seating capacity of 500,000 spectators.
The race-track is U-shaped with the Emperor's loge (the Kathisma being located at the eastern end of the track. The Kathisma is accessed from the St Constantine's Palace of Atlantis through a passage which only the Emperor and the imperial family are allowed to use. The Sacred Palace is now only used for the most ceremonial occasions, the imperial family choosing to reside elsewhere
The early political parties of Diadochia, the Blues (Venetoi), the Greens (Prasinoi), the Reds (Rousioi) and the Whites (Leukoi) stem from ancient chariot factions
Ceremonies at the Hippodrome
While in residence in the capital it is the Emperor's duty to preside at the circus games and chariot races in the Hippodrome. Special Hippodrome games are held annually on May 16 to honour and celebrate the founding of the city of Atlantis. It is the duty of the Emperor to give the signal for the race to begin. The Emperor makes this signal by dropping a white handkerchief called a mappa. During race days, four races are run at morning, and four are done in the afternoon. The Emperor and the Empress gave a luncheon party between the two race times. At the end of each days events the emperor awarded prizes to the final winner, consisting of an aurigarion (gold emblam), a silver helmet, and a belt.
During the intervals between the races the audience was entertained by mimes, singers dancers, acrobats and circus stunts.
Hippodrome racing
Two days of careful planning proceed each race meeting at the Hippodrome. First the Emperor's permission was formally obtained on the first day. On the next day a notice was hung up at the entrance to the Hippodrome announcing the meeting. Next the factions (major political parties of the day) assembled at the Sacred Palace's Hippodrome Gate to acclaim the Emperor and to wish upon themselves victory in the contests, then they tended to their horses.
On the day of the races vast crowds assembled at dawn at the Hippodrome's gates. While the city's populace gathered to watch the races, the Emperor dresses in sate robes wearing the imperial regalia and carrying a lighted candle he had used in his morning prayers made his way to the audience chamber attached to the Imperial box in the Hippodrome to receive the greetings of the city's leading dignitaries. Meanwhile the Ploíarchos tou Áloga checked the final arrangements, making sure the charioteers, leaders of the factions, imperial guards, were all in the proper place.
After this was done the Emperor was notified that the games could begin a signal was made and the doors of the imperial box slowly opened and the Emperor emerged from the passage into the Imperial Box. Standing on the first step to the throne the Emperor raised a fold in his robe and blessed the gathered audience by making the sign of the cross three times, first facing the centre, then the right, then the left.
After this the Emperor dropped a white kerchief as a signal for the games to begin; the stable doors flew open in the first four chariots drove onto the course, being chosen by lot to complete the first of the days eight races.
Each competitor had to complete seven rounds of the course; seven ostrich eggs symbolized the number of rounds left, each one being removed once the round was finished.
The intervals between each of the days eight races was the time when the crowds were entertained by mimes, acrobats, actors, singers, dancers.
