What an extraordinary mosaic this room contains! A chariot race in the Circus Maximus in Rome. The view from the imperial tribune is magnificent. The Cybele statue towers over the marble-covered spina from behind; that viewpoint is only allowed to personalities close to the imperial court who are housed in the Pulvinar. The white marble steps are crowded with colours. The opening of the carceres with the horses, with their decorated manes, interrupts the silence of the wait before the start of the competition. Here are the wagons picking up speed with the four colours of the factions competing to complete seven laps. The victory is reported by the charioteer of the greens, who is greeted by a magistrate in a gilded contabulata toga, and by a tuba player.
