Pyramid of the Hippodrome

A view of the "Pyramid" of the Roman Hippodrome in Vienne. This was placed in the middle of the hippodrome's central barrier—it is an imitation of an Egyptian obelisk. Judges used to be positioned on the central barrier to count off the seven laps done by the two or four-horse-driven chariots. For usage see this instructive mosaic of a chariot race from Lugdunum (Lyon).