Hippodrome

In ancient Greek a hippodromos (Greek: ἱππόδρομος) or hippodrome was a stadium for horse racing and chariot racing. The name is derived from the Greek words hippos (ἵππος; "horse") and dromos (δρόμος; "course").

The term is used in the modern French language and some others, with the meaning of "horse racecourse". Hence, some present-day horse-racing tracks also include the word "hippodrome"[1] in their names, such as the Hippodrome de Vincennes and the Central Moscow Hippodrome.

In the English-speaking world the term is occasionally used for theatres.[2]

Overview

The Roman version, the circus, was similar to the Greek hippodrome.

The Greek hippodrome was usually set out on the slope of a hill if possible, and the ground taken from one side served to form the embankment on the other side. One end of the hippodrome was semicircular, and the other end square with an extensive portico, in front of which, at a lower level, were the stalls for the horses and chariots. At both ends of the hippodrome were posts (Greek termata) that the chariots turned around. This was the most dangerous part of the track, and the Greeks put an altar to Taraxippus (disturber of horses) there to show the spot where many chariots wrecked.

In the English-speaking world Hippodrome is occasionally used in the names of theatres, after the Hippodrome which opened in London in 1900 "combining circus, hippodrome, and stage performances".[2]

In the 20th Century, the term Aerodrome was created, modeled on Hippodrome.

Biga chariot rounding a terma: Attic black-figure amphora, circa 500 BC, found at Vulci

List of Greek hippodromes

List of Roman hippodromes

List of modern horse-racing venues

References

Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Hippodrome" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
"The London Hippodrome, Hippodrome Corner, Cranbourn Street, City of Westminster". www.arthurlloyd.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
Archived 2006-12-07 at the Wayback Machine
"Horse Racecourse In Ancient Olympia Discovered After 1600 Years". ScienceDaily.

<ref>“Hippodrome of Constantinople.” Hippodrome Of Constantinople - Istanbul Tour Studio – Istanbul Guide, https://istanbultourstudio.com/things-to-do/hippodrome-of-constantinople./ref> Media related to Ancient Roman circuses at Wikimedia Commons

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[1] Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Hippodrome" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

[:0-2] "The London Hippodrome, Hippodrome Corner, Cranbourn Street, City of Westminster". www.arthurlloyd.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-12-18.

[3] Archived 2006-12-07 at the Wayback Machine

[4] "Horse Racecourse In Ancient Olympia Discovered After 1600 Years". ScienceDaily.