Circus Varianus

[1] This circus was where Elagabalus (r. 218–222) raced chariots under the family name of Varius, giving the site its name.

[2] Remains of the circus survive to the south of Porta Maggiore, next to the Aurelian Walls, near the church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.

[6] According to records in the 16th century, an obelisk was found at the site, measuring 9.25 meters tall.

It had originally been located at the temple dedicated to Antinous at Antinoöpolis and was moved in the reign of Elagabalus.

After being discovered, the obelisk was moved to the Palazzo Barberini in 1633,[7] from there to the Vatican in 1769, and reached Monte Pincio in 1822 where it resides currently.