Games

Maximus

About Maximus

The objective of the game is to hit the middle of the targets before the time runs out. This is a trial and error game, try different angles and spears to try and hit the targets. The further the target, the lighter the spear needed... Good Luck!

Instructions

· Play This Game = Use Mouse

The first and biggest circus in Rome, the Circus Maximus was located between the Aventine and Palatine hills. Its shape made it particularly suitable for chariot races, although spectators could also watch other stadium events there or from the surrounding hillsides. Each year in ancient Rome, from the early legendary period, the Circus Maximus became the venue for an important and popular celebration.

Jupiter Optimus Maximus (Jupiter Best and Greatest) whose temple was dedicated, according to tradition, which is always shaky for the early period, on September 13, 509 (Source: Scullard). The games were organized by the curule aediles and were divided into ludi circenses -- as in circus (e.g., chariot races and gladiatorial combats) and ludi scaenici -- as in scenic (theatrical performances). The ludi started with a procession to the Circus Maximus. In the procession were young men, some on horseback, charioteers, the almost naked, competing athletes, spear-carrying dancers to flute and lyre players, satyr and Silenoi impersonators, musicians, and incense burners, followed by images of the gods and once-mortal divine heroes, and sacrificial animals. The games included horse-drawn chariot races, foot races, boxing, wrestling, and more.

Circus Maximus

Ludi

Tarquin: The Ludi Romani and the Circus Maximus

King Tarquinius Priscus (Tarquin) was the first Etruscan king of Rome. When he took power, he engaged in various political ploys to gain popular favor. Among other actions, he waged a successful war against a neighboring Latin town. In honor of the Roman victory, Tarquin held the first of the "Ludi Romani," the Roman Games, consisting of boxing and horse racing. The spot that he selected for the "Ludi Romani" became the Circus Maximus.

The topography of the city of Rome is known for its seven hills (Palatine, Aventine, Capitoline or Capitolium, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline and Caelian). Tarquin laid out the first racetrack circuit in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine Hills. Spectators could view the action by sitting on the hillsides. Later Romans developed another type of stadium (colosseum) to suit other games they enjoyed. The ovoid shape and seating of the circus was more suited to chariot races than to wild beast and gladiator fights, although the Circus Maximus held both.

Stages in the Building of the Circus Maximus

Factions

The drivers of the chariots (aurigae or agitatores) that raced in the circus wore team (faction) colors. Originally, the factions were the White and Red, but Green and Blue were added during the Empire. Domitian introduced short-lived Purple and Gold factions. By the fourth century A.D., the White faction had joined the Green, and the Red had joined the Blue. The factions attracted fanatically loyal supporters.

Circus Laps

On the flat end of the circus were 12 openings (carceres) through which the chariots passed. Conical pillars (metae) marked the starting line (alba linea). At the opposite end were matching metae. Starting on the right of the spina, the charioteers raced down the course rounded the pillars and returned to the start 7 times (the missus).

Circus Hazards

Because there were wild beasts in the circus arena, spectators were offered some protection through an iron railing. When Pompey held an elephant fight in the arena, the railing broke. Caesar added a moat (euripus) 10 feet wide and 10 feet deep between arena and the seats. Nero filled it back in. Fires in the wooden seats was another danger. The charioteers and those behind them were in particular danger when they rounded the metae.

Julius Caesar

Pompey

Circuses Other Than the Circus Maximus

The Circus Maximus was the first and largest circus, but it was not the only one. Other circuses included the Circus Flaminius (where the Ludi Plebeii were held) and the Circus of Maxentius.

Ancient/Classical History Discussion

"Their games became a regular event in 216 B.C. in the Circus Flaminius, partly to honor their fallen champion, Flaminius, partly to honor the gods of the plebes, and surely to honor all gods due to the dire circumstances of their struggle with Hannibal. The Ludi Plebeii were the first of a whole string of new games beginning in the late Second Century B.C. to gather favor from whatever gods that would listen to Rome's needs."

FORT STEWART, Ga. (July 24, 2012) -- Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III reunited with former team members today at Fort Stewart, and helped make a Third Infantry Division vehicle dedication ceremony a historic event.

The Third Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Robert "Abe" Abrams, said the ceremony honoring the last M4 Command and Control Vehicle, nicknamed "Maximus," and its actions in the Iraq invasion of 2003, was especially noteworthy as the original crew was on-hand, including Austin, who helped spearhead the division's effort, in "Maximus," as the Third Infantry Division Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver).

Reuniting with his original crew, Abrams and Third Infantry Division Command Sgt. Major Edd Watson, asked the former crew members to help dedicate "Maximus" C2V in front of the Lt. Col. Keith L. Ware Building on Fort Stewart. The crew in attendance included Austin; Col. Ross Coffman, Col. Robert Foster, Mike Culpepper, Heath Bates, Sgt. 1st Class Earl Francis, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Streeper, Sgt. Maj. Jerry Kimble, and Sgt. 1st Class Robert Brown. The only other crew member, who wasn't available for the day's ceremony was retired Staff Sgt. Ramon Borjas.

Austin selected the M4 for its mission as a command and control as the vehicle offered durability, speed, and capability of integrating with the Army's Battle Command System. "Maximus" joined two other M4 vehicles "Zeus" and "El Cid" as the Division spearheaded Marne Division's movement from Kuwait to Baghdad, in their effort to oust Saddam Hussein from power, and help liberate the people Iraq.

Abrams said that "Maximus," and the other M4s, helped carry the battle in Iraq with constant communications as the division applied speed and violence to ensure decisive operations.

During the operation, then-Third Infantry Division Commanding General Maj. Gen. Buford Blount was in "Zeus," and elements of the 3rd ID intelligence, Air Defense, and Chemical Staff Sections, rode in "El Cid."

Austin said it was an honor to attend the dedication ceremony and to have served in with the Third Infantry Division. He said he appreciated the Third Infantry Division remembering the M4 and the Soldiers who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, with the dedication.

"This represents the great efforts of all those Soldiers who were a part of that (Operation Iraqi Freedom -- 2003 push into Iraq) and the remarkable things they did," Austin said. "I am proud to be a part of that."

The dedication marker for "Maximus" notes the M4 was named after the roman word for "greatest" or "largest." The title "Maximus" was exemplified by Tiberius Claudius Maximus, a Roman Soldier who served in the Dacian Wars, who was a famous cavalryman and expert in mounted combat. "Zeus" was named after the Greek's "all-father" and god of sky and thunder; while "El Cid," was named after the Spanish lord-master of military arts, Rodrigo Die Vivar, called "El Cid." who lived 1043-1099.

The M4's were impressive military machines at 25.5 feet in length, 10.5 feet tall, weighing about 57,000 pounds. Operated by a crew of three to eight Soldiers, the vehicle boasted a 70-kilometer-per-hour speed and could travel about 275 miles on one tank of fuel. At the heart of the M4 was a VT903 Cummins Diesel engine, which provided more than 600 horsepower.

"Zeus" and "El Cid" became part of the Army's recycling program, but "Maximus," will live on in a place of honor in front of the Third Infantry Division Command and Control Facility on Fort Stewart.

Contributing authors were FSGA Staff, Walter W. Meeks III, and Pat Young.

Having looked at a fairly large cross section of what ASUS has had to offer over the past few years from its ROG (Republic of Gamers) product stack, I have to say that the company keeps finding a way to bring a little something new to the feature set. The Maximus V Gene is a small form factor motherboard designed for use with Intel's latest Third Generation Core series Ivy Bridge processors. ASUS brings a wealth of improvements to the table. There are improvements to the power circuitry via its all new Extreme Engine Digi+ II all-digital power solution for the CPU, IGP, and DRAM. You get an improved 8-channel sound solution in the Supreme FX III onboard sound, which offers massive improvements in onboard sound technology. You get an onboard mPCIe card to add in a mSATA SSD to take advantage of Intel's Smart Response, Rapid Start, and SSD Caching, not to mention add mini PCIe devices. You get support for CrossFireX, SLI, and Hybrid graphics though the use of Lucidlogix Virtu software, which is supposed to offer an increase in performance of up to 60%! Rounding it out are native USB 3.0 and PCIe 3.0, all at a price point of right around $210. Add in the three-year warranty and you have a full-featured board for not a lot of money. Let's see what it has to offer in terms of performance to go with the good looks of a ROG board.

Closer Look:

There is no mistaking a board that is part of the ROG product stack from ASUS. The specific theme consists of a maroon, red, and silver background, with the ROG logo prominently displayed. The product name is in bold print to easily distinguish which motherboard is in the package. Along the bottom of the front panel are specific supported features, including CrossFireX, SLI, and Hybrid graphics support via Lucidlogix Virtu software. The Maximus V Gene is PCIe 3.0 ready when used with one of Intel's Third Generation Core series processors. Inside the front flip-up panel, ASUS goes into detail on the benefits of some of the board's expansive features. The Supreme FX III audio solution, Intel NIC with improved GameFirst packet management software, Lucidlogix Virtu MVP hybrid graphics, ROG Connect, Extreme Engine Digi+ II power design, and the mPCIe combo card are all added value propositions that enhance the user experience. The back side of the package points out some of the features, as well as lists the motherboard specifications. Many of us purchase online without visiting a brick and mortar store, but for those of us with a Micro Center or Fry's around, the box certainly has visual appeal.