Chariot racing was the Ancient Roman equivalent of today’s football, with four “factiones” (teams): Green, Red, White, and Blue. Gaius joined the Whites, then later moved to the Greens and Reds. In his career spanning 15 years, he won over 1,000 races.
Gaius raced at the Circus Maximus in Rome, which could hold over 150,000 spectators. After his retirement, two monuments were erected in his honor, showcasing his impressive stats: 4,257 starts and 1,463 victories, with prize money estimated at around $15 billion in modern terms. This would have made him the wealthiest athlete in history, equivalent to over $100 billion in today’s American sports terms.
This historical example sheds light on Ancient Roman society during the Empire, revealing the time and money available to support such a lucrative sporting scene. While debates about modern athletes’ earnings continue, it’s clear that Kylian Mbappé has a long way to go before reaching the level of wealth achieved by Gaius Appuleius Diocles in his chariot racing career.
