Ansperto's Tower is the oldest tower of the city, dating back to the Roman Period, even if it took the actual name from a bishop who was born centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire. The tower has been annexed to the Maggiore Monastry by order of Bishop Ansperto. In origin, it was a tower of the Roman Circus, one of the two circus erected by Emperor Massimiano, probably destroyed by Frederick I when he devasted the city in 1162. The tower was positioned exactly near the Carceres, where the "quadriga" (chariot drawn by four horses) used to start the race.