In writing the sequel to Lily of the Nile, I’ve done a fair amount of research on ancient chariot races, but one of the most distressing things about writing historical fiction is that most of your research never makes it into the book. I guess that’s what a blog is for!
The Romans were quite serious about their entertainments, and gladiator games weren’t the end-all-be-all of their experience. Arguably more popular were the chariot races, and the charioteers were enormous sport celebrities who raked in the cash.
A recent article points out that the wealth of today’s sports stars like Tiger Woods may have been dwarfed by the fortunes of ancient charioteers. One Gaius Appuleius Diocles apparently “amassed … the equivalent of $15 billion.” That’s right. Billion. It’s unclear whether or not this fortune was awarded in one year or over a career, but it makes clear that public officials in ancient Rome probably had as much to complain about as we do when it comes to high paid athletes.
Of course, I must point out, nothing on a golf course approximates the danger to life and limb that would have been faced by a Roman charioteer, so I think Tiger Woods is still making out like a champ.