Circus (building)

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The Roman Circus, the theatre and the amphitheatre were the most important buildings in the cities for public entertainment in the Roman Empire. Chariot races, horse races, and performances that commemorated important events of the empire were performed there. For those events that involved re-enactments of naval battles, the circus was flooded with water.

The Roman Circus was a large rectangular site with rounded borders. The arena was divided lengthwise into two parts by the spina, around which the chariots ran. On the spina there usually were columns, statues and commemorative obelisks.

The Roman Circus was inspired by the Greek hippodromes and stadiums, but was actually much larger than they were.

Contents 1 List of Roman Circuses 1.1 England 1.2 Egypt 1.3 France 1.4 Germany 1.5 Greece 1.6 Israel 1.7 Italy 1.8 Jordan 1.9 Lebanon 1.10 Libya 1.11 Serbia 1.12 Spain 1.13 Syria 1.14 Turkey 2 See also 3 References

[edit] List of Roman Circuses

[edit] England

• Colchester

[edit] Egypt

• Antinopolis - Location

[edit] France

• Arles
• Vienne

[edit] Germany

• Trier

[edit] Greece

• Corinth (disputed)
• Nikopolis - Location, Referred to as a stadium.

[edit] Israel

• Caesarea Maritima i is disputed by many people if it's a circus or not.

[edit] Italy

• Aquileia
• Circus Maximus, Rome
  

  

  Floorplan of Circus Maxiumus. This design is typical of all Roman circuses.
• Circus of Maxentius
• Circus of Nero
• Circus Flaminius

[edit] Jordan

• Gerasa

[edit] Lebanon

• Tyre - Location

[edit] Libya

• Cyrene
• Leptis Magna

[edit] Serbia

• Sirmium

[edit] Spain

• Calahorra
• Mérida
• Tarragona
• Toledo

[edit] Syria

• Bostra

[edit] Turkey

• Byzantium - Built under Septimius Severus, a Roman.

[edit] See also

• Hippodrome - a Greek arena also used for chariot racing
• List of Roman amphitheatres
• Amphitheater
• Roman theatre (structure)

[edit] References

• Cyrene
• List