Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars is a 2002 racing and combat game developed by Kodiak Interactive, released for Xbox and PlayStation 2. Set in ancient Rome, it draws its name from the famous open-air racing venue and centers on chariot competition in which each team consists of a horse and a gladiator. Races incorporate direct combat, allowing the gladiator to engage rival competitors in lethal hand-to-hand fighting alongside the driving itself. The combination of historically themed chariot racing with death-match combat sequences became the game's defining characteristic, blending two distinct gameplay modes into a single experience. Despite this unusual premise, the title was considered a significant commercial failure upon release.
