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What is the turning post for chariot races?

The three turning posts at each end of the central dividing wall (spina) were called "metae". The narrow turn at the metae on the east end was particularly dangerous. It was also named the "taraxippus" which translates as "horse-terror" or "horse-disturber". (sing.- meta) See Circus Maximus for verification.


Why was the circus maximus built?

Originally, the Circus Maximus was made entirely out of wood. It was rebuilt and altered on a number of occasions, however, and in the end, it was mostly stone and concrete and some wood parts. There is a link below.


What was a spina in the circus maximus used for?

The spina (spine) was the raised middle of the Circus Maximus. It acted as a barrier which separated the two sides of the circuit of the racing track. There was a series of bronze dolphins at either end of the spina which marked each lap of the chariots which raced around this dividing point, 12 abreast. Much of what remained of the spina's base and structural supports can be seen in photographs taken prior to 1962. Unfortunately, they were lost during an aborted archaeological survey in the mid-1960's. Augustus erected an obelisk from Egypt at its centre. It was excavated in the 16th Century. It now stands in the centre of the Piazza del Popolo and is known as the Flamino Obelisk.


What caused civilian rioting in the North and the South during the US Civil War?

The South experienced minor rioting due to food shortages and the North had riots because of the North's 1863 conscription laws. No one was killed in the Southern riots but in New York City in July of 1863, the riots were deadly. Mobs of rioters lynched Freed Blacks and burned down buildings. It was the largest civil insurrection in US history. As an example of how deadly the riots were, President Lincoln had to send 20,000 troops from Gettysburg with howitzers to end the riots.


How did conscription end in Australia?

America had had enough "draft riots" at that time (1960s). America had experienced "draft riots" in the US Civil War (1860s) also, but apparently had forgotten those lessons from that earlier century.