Equirria

What were the Equirria?

The Equirria were special celebrations in ancient Rome. They were held to honor the god Mars. The name comes from the Latin word for horse races.

Fun Celebrations

During the Equirria, people enjoyed exciting races. Some think they were chariot races, and others think they were races with horses. There were two Equirria festivals each year. One was on February 27, and the other was on March 14.

Where did they happen?

These festivals took place in the Campus Martius area near Rome. Sometimes, if the Tiber River flooded, the races moved to a field on the Caelian Hill.

The Equirria were an important part of ancient Roman life. They showed how much people loved sports and their gods.