Vatican Museums

This inscription commissioned by the companion Carisia Nesis, a freedman, indicated the name of the owner of the urn, Scirtus, probably already deceased, and commemorates his achievements during his career as a charioteer in the Circus Maximus for the White team (factio alba). The document, extremely original and rare, is of great interest. From the detailed chronological list (years 13 to 25 A.D.) and the final report we know that Scirtus (probably a slave), driving a quadriga or chariot drawn by four horses, won 7 races, finished second 39 times and third 60 times. On four occasions he was revocatus, the meaning of which is uncertain; it perhaps indicates that he was “recalled” after a false start rather than “disqualified”, or better perhaps “proclaimed (winner)” after consultation between the competition judges. Only once did he encounter a iustitiale (possibly meaning suspension of the race; the word is not encountered elsewhere). Finally, he won twice while driving a chariot drawn by six horses.