Palatine Stadium

By the Editors of the Madain Project

The so-called Palatine Stadium (Stadio Palatine), or the Palatine Hippodrome (Hippodromus Palatii), is an ancient Roman structure located on the Palatine Hill (Palatino), Rome. It was located between the Domus Augustana and the Baths of the Severan palace, was completed circa 92 CE and was the last section of the imperial palace complex to be built.

Overview

The "Palatine stadium" was an important sector of the Flavian Palace, which is never given this name in the historic sources. In fact it was a garden, more specifically a hippodromus, the word with which it was described by the late authors. In Rome hippodromes, areas where originally horses were excersised, trained and raced, came to be elongated rectangular spaces with paths and flower-beds. Deriving from the Greek gymnasiums, these were luxurious garden areas present in important villas. The Palatine stadium, although, located at a lower level, was most probably intended for the emperor's strolls or other leisure activities.

Architecture

circa 90-95 CE

The so-called "Palatine Stadium" (Stadio Palatino), situated between the Domus Augustana and the Baths of the Severan palace, was constructed in the shape of an elongated rectangle, measuring approximately 161x48 meters, and was set around 10 meters lower than the ground level of the Domus Flavia/Augustana. Built during the final years of Domitian's reign (circa 90–95 CE), the structure underwent significant alterations during the Severan period following the fire of 192 CE. Its distinctive curved south side, resembling a racecourse or stadium, was surrounded on three sides by porticos originally arranged in two or three orders. The lowest order featured a succession of brick pillars and semi-columns (inspect), all faced with Tuscan-style marble decoration, lending the structure an elegant appearance. These porticos created long, shady avenues for leisure, allowing visitors to stroll, travel in litters, or even ride in carriages—a practice noted by Martial and Juvenal, authors of the Domitianic period.

The eastern side of the stadium was marked by a prominent semi-circular exedra (inspect), added during the Severan renovations. This feature offered views over the garden below and was richly adorned with sculptures, refined paintings, and black-and-white mosaics depicting vegetal motifs and birds. Two semi-circular fountains (inspect), positioned at either end of the exedra, further enhanced its luxurious design. The central avenue within the stadium was broad and curved, enabling a variety of leisure activities, while the floor of the portico supported a terrace gallery that provided additional vantage points for enjoying the singular views. Later additions to the structure included a nymphaeum decorated with fountains to the north, which complemented the elegance of the setting.

To the south end of the arena, a large oval enclosure (inspect) of uncertain function was added, possibly during the time of Theodoric. The brickwork throughout the ruins was uniformly faced with monochromatic marble, showcasing the opulence of the design. The stadium, interpreted as a garden with extensive shady porches intended for leisurely use, may also correspond to the Hippodromus Palatii mentioned in the Acts of the Martyrs, where Saint Sebastian was killed. The combination of architectural grandeur and functionality underscores its role as a centerpiece of Palatine leisure and culture during both the Domitianic and Severan periods.

The north end of the stadium, above some service rooms ended in a relatively larger square chamber with niches decorated with statues and fountains fed by a complex system of water pipes. some large cisterns in the underground area to the rear, already known in the Renaissance and drawn by Pirro Ligorio, ensured a water supply to the Augustan-Flavian palace. A branch of the Claudian aqueduct (aqua Claudia) which ran from the Caelian Hill to this part of the Palatine supplied the cisterns, where the water decanted before being distributed.

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References

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