The Lageion ( Greek:Λαγεῖον, translit: Layeῖon) also known as the Hippodrome of Alexandria, was a hippodrome situated in the city of Alexandria, Egypt, below the Serapeum. It is named after the founder of the Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt, Ptolemy I Soter. [1] Other sources cite that it was named after a figure called Lagos, who was believed to be the father of Ptolemy I. [2]
The structure was covered up completely under housing during the end of the 19th century. [3]
The size of the Lageion was 615 meter with curvature on both ends and its tracks were 568 meter in length as indicated by the records during the Napoleonic expeditions. [4] Following the Hellenistic model for such structure, it had tiered seats that were built on top of a system of parallel walls. [5] The structure was similar to the hippodrome built at Cyrene and the Circus Maximus constructed in Rome during Julius Caesar and Augustus time. [5]
The Lageion was constructed during the Ptolemaia and was first mentioned by Polybius, who described it as a theater. [6] Records show that the Lageion was used as a stadium for athletic events and a hippodrome race course later on. [7] An account cited that the Lageion was also used during the late second- or early third century for official ceremonies such as imperial cult offerings. [8] According to Plutarch, the Lageion was the location of the first clash between Octavian and Mark Antony in 30 BC. [2] It was converted to a circus for chariot racing during the Roman period as indicated by the addition of a central dividing barrier (spina), which was found at the western end of the edifice. [4]
The Lageion ( Greek:Λαγεῖον, translit: Layeῖon) also known as the Hippodrome of Alexandria, was a hippodrome situated in the city of Alexandria, Egypt, below the Serapeum. It is named after the founder of the Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt, Ptolemy I Soter. [1] Other sources cite that it was named after a figure called Lagos, who was believed to be the father of Ptolemy I. [2]
The structure was covered up completely under housing during the end of the 19th century. [3]
The size of the Lageion was 615 meter with curvature on both ends and its tracks were 568 meter in length as indicated by the records during the Napoleonic expeditions. [4] Following the Hellenistic model for such structure, it had tiered seats that were built on top of a system of parallel walls. [5] The structure was similar to the hippodrome built at Cyrene and the Circus Maximus constructed in Rome during Julius Caesar and Augustus time. [5]
The Lageion was constructed during the Ptolemaia and was first mentioned by Polybius, who described it as a theater. [6] Records show that the Lageion was used as a stadium for athletic events and a hippodrome race course later on. [7] An account cited that the Lageion was also used during the late second- or early third century for official ceremonies such as imperial cult offerings. [8] According to Plutarch, the Lageion was the location of the first clash between Octavian and Mark Antony in 30 BC. [2] It was converted to a circus for chariot racing during the Roman period as indicated by the addition of a central dividing barrier (spina), which was found at the western end of the edifice. [4]