The Highest Paid Athlete in History Actually Lived in Ancient Rome
In the grand arena of Roman chariot racing, no name looms larger than that of Gaius Appuleius Diocles. His rise to prominence as one of the most successful athletes in the Roman Empire has not only been immortalised in historical records but also cemented his status as one of the wealthiest sportsmen of all time. His fame and fortune make him a subject of fascination even today, with comparisons frequently drawn between his earnings and those of modern athletes.
Early Life
Gaius Appuleius Diocles was born in 104 CE in Lusitania, a Roman province located in what is modern-day Portugal. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed he was born into a family of modest means, with no apparent ties to the wealthy patrician class or any particular influence within the racing circuits. His humble origins, however, would serve to highlight the extraordinary trajectory of his career.
Chariot racing, one of the most popular sports in Ancient Rome, was a perilous pursuit. The races took place in vast arenas, the most famous being the Circus Maximus in Rome, which could hold an estimated 150,000 spectators. The sport attracted massive crowds, enormous sums of money, and intense rivalries between the racing factions (or teams) known as the Reds, Whites, Blues, and Greens. Diocles, initially racing for the White faction, would later switch allegiances to the Greens and finally to the Reds, where he found his greatest success.
Career and Success
Diocles began his chariot racing career at the age of 18. As a novice, his talents were quickly recognised, and he rapidly ascended through the ranks. His transition from the White to the Green faction marked a significant step in his career, but it was with the Red faction that he truly became a household name across the Roman Empire.
Diocles raced for 24 years, an extraordinary length of time for a charioteer. The average career of a Roman charioteer was fraught with danger, and many racers met early deaths from crashes and injuries. The fact that Diocles not only survived but thrived for over two decades speaks to his exceptional skill, resilience, and perhaps a degree of luck.
During his career, Diocles participated in 4,257 races, a staggering number considering the perilous nature of the sport. He won 1,462 of these races, amounting to a victory rate of over 34%. His success was not only a product of his mastery of the reins but also of his strategic acumen—Diocles was known for his ability to close out races in the final moments, coming from behind to snatch victory from his competitors.
The Fortune of Diocles
Diocles’ triumphs on the racetrack were not only celebrated with fame but also with enormous financial rewards. Roman charioteers, especially the most successful ones, were lavishly compensated for their victories. However, Diocles’ earnings eclipsed those of his peers, solidifying him as not just the greatest charioteer but one of the wealthiest individuals in the Roman Empire.
By the time he retired at the age of 42, Diocles had amassed an astonishing fortune of 35,863,120 sesterces. To put this in perspective, a Roman legionary soldier at the time earned about 900 sesterces per year. Diocles’ earnings were equivalent to the annual salary of more than 39,800 legionaries, or roughly the cost to supply grain for the entire city of Rome for an entire year.
The Modern Equivalent
When adjusting for inflation and economic changes, estimating the modern equivalent of Diocles’ fortune is complex. However, some estimates place his earnings at approximately $15 billion (around £11.6 billion) in today’s terms. This immense figure dwarfs the earnings of modern athletes, even those who are considered the highest-paid in the world.
For comparison, Lionel Messi, one of the top-earning athletes in 2023, took home approximately $130 million (£101 million) that year, from a combination of his salary, endorsements, and sponsorships. Similarly, LeBron James earned around $119 million (£93 million) in the same period. While these figures are monumental in today’s economy, they pale in comparison to Diocles’ earnings when adjusted for historical context. In fact, Diocles’ fortune makes him arguably the highest-paid athlete in history, even surpassing modern sporting giants such as Michael Jordan or Floyd Mayweather.
The Legacy of Diocles
Diocles’ legacy extends far beyond his remarkable earnings. He remains an enduring symbol of what can be achieved through talent, determination, and a bit of luck. His success represented more than just personal achievement; it demonstrated the societal importance of chariot racing in Ancient Rome. Chariot races were not mere entertainment but a powerful form of social and political expression. Victories in the circus were celebrated with religious fervour, with the winning charioteer seen as a representative of divine favour. In this context, Diocles was not just an athlete but a cultural icon.
Even today, scholars and sports historians look to Diocles’ career as a testament to the role of sport in ancient societies and the rewards that came with success at the highest level. His story also illustrates the precarious nature of athletic careers, both ancient and modern, where fortune and fame often come at a heavy physical cost.
Though there are no known surviving portraits or statues of Diocles, his name is inscribed in historical records and on monuments dedicated to chariot racing, including the famous inscription at the Circus Maximus, which chronicles his victories and his staggering wealth.
Chariot Racing: A Dangerous Sport
The life of a charioteer was fraught with peril. Races involved teams of horses pulling lightweight chariots at tremendous speeds around a track. The tight turns and chaotic nature of the races often led to catastrophic crashes, known as naufragia. Competitors were regularly thrown from their chariots, trampled by horses, or crushed beneath the wheels of rival chariots. Charioteers faced a grim reality: a single mistake could lead to death or severe injury.
To mitigate the dangers, some charioteers tied the reins around their bodies, enabling them to control the horses more effectively. However, this method also made it more difficult to escape if their chariot overturned or crashed, often resulting in fatal consequences. Despite the risks, chariot racing was a path to immense wealth and fame for those who could master the craft, as Diocles demonstrated.
Comparing Diocles’ earnings to those of modern athletes serves as a reminder of how lucrative sports have been for millennia. While today’s top athletes enjoy vast riches and global fame, Diocles’ accomplishments suggest that the concept of the sports superstar is not a modern invention but has deep historical roots.
Though over 1,800 years have passed since Diocles raced in the Circus Maximus, his legacy as the wealthiest athlete in history remains largely unchallenged. His story exemplifies the timeless allure of sports, where talent and risk can lead to extraordinary success.
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