The Circus Maximus was the first and largest racing track in Rome and was designed to use chariot racing to distract the public from their problems to great success. It's culturally significant because the chariot races they participated in are like the horse racing that is done today. The circus was so popular with the common people that people would bet on who would win and if one charioteer won too many times, they would be lionized and cursed by the public for practicing witchcraft. The races and games that took place in the circus were supposed to honor Jupiter with the Roman Games happening in September. The Roman Games was a collection of games that happened in the circus Maximus and included recreating myths like the myth of Prometheus and how he had his internal organs ripped out by birds every day and gladiators fighting wild animals. As the games progressed, they got more and more blood thirsty and violent until Christianity rose in prominence and the games were done.