Gaius Appuleius Diocles

Gaius Appuleius Diocles
Mosaic depicting a chariot racer from the Red team.
Born104 AD
Lusitania, Roman Empire
(now Portugal, and bordering parts of Western Spain)
Diedafter 146 AD (aged at least 41)
Praeneste, Roman Empire
(now Palestrina, Italy)
NationalityRoman
Career winnings35,863,120 sesterces
Career winsfirst place in 1462 of 4257 quadriga team races; first place in 1064 quadriga singles races

Gaius Appuleius Diocles (104  after 146 AD) was a Roman charioteer. His existence and career are attested by two highly detailed contemporary inscriptions, used by modern historians to help reconstruct the likely conduct and techniques of chariot racing. He has been described in some modern sources as the highest-paid athlete of all time.