Chariot Racing Festivals at Olympia

Chariot racing was one of the most popular ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine sports.^¹ In Greece, chariot racing played an essential role in aristocratic funeral games from a very early time.^¹ With the institution of formal races and permanent racetracks, chariot racing was adopted by many Greek states and their religious festivals.^¹ Horses and chariots were very costly. Their ownership was a preserve of the wealthiest aristocrats, whose reputations and status benefitted from offering such extravagant, exciting displays.^¹ Their successes could be further broadcast and celebrated through commissioned odes and other poetry.^¹