Circus (building)
The Roman circus was a large open-air venue used for public events in the ancient Roman Empire. The circuses were similar to the ancient Greek hippodromes, although circuses served varying purposes and differed in design and construction. Along with theatres and amphitheatres, circuses were one of the main entertainment sites of the time. Circuses were venues for chariot races, horse races, gladiatorial combat, and performances that commemorated important events of the empire were performed there.
According to Edward Gibbon, in Chapter XXXI of his work The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, the Roman people, at the start of the 5th century:
Architectural design
The performance space of the Roman circus was normally, despite its name, an oblong rectangle of two linear sections of race track, separated by a median strip running along the length of about two thirds the track, joined at one end with a semicircular section and at the other end with an undivided section of track closed by a distinctive starting gate known as the carceres, thereby creating a circuit for the races. The Circus Maximus epitomises the design.The median strip was called the spina and usually featured ornate columns, statues and commemorative obelisks. The turning points on either end of the spina were usually marked by conical poles, called the metae.
The performance surface of the circus was normally surrounded by ascending seating along the length of both straight sides and around the curved end, though there were sometimes interruptions in the seating to provide access to the circus or the seating, or to provide for special viewing platforms for dignitaries and officials. One circus, that at Antinoöpolis, displays a distinct gap of some 50m between the carceres and the start of the ascending seating where there is apparently no structure. This appears to be an exception.
The great majority of circuses fit the description above. Those that do not display two different variations: that at [|Emerita Augusta], where the carceres end is substituted by a slightly curved 'straight' end joined to the straight sides of ascending seating by rounded corners of ascending seating; and a few in which the carceres end is substituted by a second semi-circular end to produce an oval shaped arena. These latter circuses are normally small and [|Aphrodisias] ), and should probably be considered stadia.
There are similar buildings, called stadia, which were used for Greek style athletics. These buildings were similar in design but typically smaller than circuses; however, the distinction is not always clear. An example of this type is the Stadium of Domitian.
Common characteristics
Dates
Differently from other major Roman structures circuses frequently evolved over long periods of time from a simple track in a field, through generations of wooden seating structures, before they finally began to be converted to stone. Although circuses such as the Circus Maximus may have existed in some form from as early as around 500 BCE, circuses were mainly constructed during the 400 years between 200 BCE and 200 CE.Dimensions
The comparative dimensions of a circus may be measured in two basic ways: by the length of the track, and by the seating capacity. Other dimensions, such as the external dimensions of the structure may vary considerably depending on the location, the site, and on specific architectural characteristics.The simplest comparative measurement of a circus is its track length. This is the most easily measured dimension, as it only requires small excavations at either end of the centreline. It is very probable that this can be done even when the circus is buried under subsequent constructions. Track lengths may vary from the 245 m of the circus at [|Gerasa], to the 621 m of the Circus Maximus.
The alternative comparative dimension is that of seating capacity. This is much more complex to measure as it requires that the dimensions of the original vertical and horizontal extent of the inclined seating be re-established. In many cases the full structure of the inclined seating has been destroyed beyond the point where this can be measured, or at the least would require a great deal more excavation than that required for the measurement of the track length. Seating capacity may vary from around 15,000 people at Gerasa, to 150,000 at the Circus Maximus.
Orientation
Circuses do not appear to have been constructed with any special compass orientation. Those that are well identified can be found with their round ends oriented around the compass. Examples include: N. Gerasa ; NE. Antinoöpolis ; E. Circus of Maxentius ; SE. Circus Maximus ; S. [|Tyrus] ; SW. [|Gortyn] ; W. Circus of Nero.Relative location
Circuses can be found at three distinct locations relative to the towns to which they belong:- outside the city walls at anything up to 1.5 km distant, as at: Gerasa , and [|Leptis Magna] .
- simply within the town walls, as at: Thessalonica.
- inside the walls, in the heart of the town, and an integral part of the architectural power structure of the town, as at: Rome, Sirmium and Tarraco.
Carceres
The form of the carceres appears to have been standardised throughout the Roman world. The similarity in form among the carceres of circuses of many different sizes suggests that carceres were constructed according to a series of proportional mathematical relationships or formulas. It is not clear when the earliest carceres of the standardised form was constructed, nor whether there exists documentary evidence for the existence of such formulas.
Some of the best examples of carceres'' can be found at: Gerasa and the Circus of Maxentius.
Best preserved
The best preserved circuses include: Emerita Augusta, Caesarea Maritima , Circus of Maxentius, Gerasa, Tyrus, Miróbriga, Leptis Magna.List of Roman circuses
Unless otherwise indicated the coordinates in the following list are of a point that lies within the space of a circus. For the remaining circuses the point is for a location within the space of the historic nucleus of the associated town, or for a location within the associated archaeological site. These points are probably within 1.5 kilometres of the site of the circus, as a circus was almost always within this distance from its associated town.| City Link to detailed circus article | City | Country | Coordinates | Notes References | Images |
| Auzia | Sour El-Ghozlane | Algeria | cited in Humphrey; no online circus-specific information found. | ||
| Colonia Claudia Caesarea | Cherchell | Algeria | cited in Humphrey; approximate location; neither the form nor any original structure is visible. | images | |
| Saldae | Béjaïa | Algeria | cited in Humphrey; no online circus-specific information found. | ||
| Setifis | Sétif | Algeria | cited in Humphrey; approximate location confirmed by old air photographs ; only the southern, curved, end remains visible; U-shaped; approximate track length: c450m; approximate track width: c70m. | images | |
| Trimontium Plovdiv Roman Stadium | Plovdiv | Bulgaria | Only a small well preserved part of the northern end is currently visible; c95% of the structure is buried under the current main street; track length c250m; track width c32m; the small size of the structure suggests that it is, in fact, more correct to consider it a stadium; this is the view taken by the principal site on the structure | ||
| Alexandria | Alexandria | Egypt | cited in Humphrey; no online circus-specific information found. | ||
| Antinoöpolis | Mallawi | Egypt | cited in Humphrey; visible track length: 300–350 m; visible track width: c45m; U-shaped; the carceres are c50m beyond the ends of the ascending seating at the open south-west end; clearly visible and unobstructed. | ||
| Oxyrhynchus | Beni Mazar | Egypt | cited in Humphrey; no online circus-specific information found. | ||
| Camulodunum | Colchester | England | location information; archaeological information; official archaeological information; length: c450m; width: c75m. | ||
| Arelate | Arles | France | cited in Humphrey; official archaeological information; c40% of curved south-west end is minimally visible; the remaining structure lies to the north-east under a road junction and housing; length: c450m; width: c101m; visible track width: c80m. | further images | |
| Lugdunum | Lyon | France | cited in Chase; hypothesised location. | ||
| Mediolanum Santonum | Saintes | France | cited in Humphrey; no online circus-specific information found. | ||
| Vienna | Vienne | France | Cited in Humphrey; the only remaining feature is a monumental arched structure topped by a tall, narrow, pyramid; this structure was on the spina. | further images | |
| Augusta Treverorum | Trier | Germany | Cited in Humphrey; location; plan of Roman town showing location of circus; length: c450m. | ||
| Corinth | Corinth | Greece | discussion about the evidence for a circus; plan showing the hypothesised location of the circus and; hypothesised and partially excavated location. | ||
| Gortyn, Gortys or Gortyna | Agioi Deka | Greece | cited in Chase; archaeological city plan; visible track length: c375m; visible track width: c50m; U-shaped plan form clearly visible; space 30% open agricultural land, 70% covered by orchard trees. | images | |
| Nicopolis | Preveza | Greece | referred to as a stadium; very small for a circus; visible track length: c215m; visible track width: c20m; double-U-shaped plan form with both rounded ends clearly visible; the space is unoccupied by any modern structures. | ||
| Thessalonica | Thessaloniki | Greece | location ; archaeological map of historical centre of town, showing location of hippodrome/circus ; approximate length inferred from and: c525m. | ||
| Rhodes | Rhodes | Greece | |||
| Caesarea Maritima | Caesarea | Israel | cited in Humphrey; referred to as a hippodrome; on the coast; parallel to the coast; visible track length: c290m; visible track width: c45m; U-shaped plan form clearly visible; structure substantially complete; few modern structures constructed within the space. | further images | |
| Caesarea Maritima | Caesarea | Israel | c1km inland from the coast; visible track length: c410m; visible track width: c80m; form substantially visible; apparently U-shaped; the space is unoccupied by any modern structures. | images | |
| Aquileia | Aquileia | Italy | cited in Humphrey; location; track length measured from location information: c460m; track width measured from location information: c80m. | images | |
| Bovillae | Marino, Lazio | Italy | cited in Humphrey; ; information and photos in English; length: 328.50m; width: 60m; location centred on the only visible remains – three stone arches. | ||
| Mediolanum | Milan | Italy | Cited in Chase; location; track length: 460m; track width: 67/68m; the principal visible remains are a tower at the north western corner of the circus; the main body of the circus lay SSE of this tower. | images | |
| Roma Circus Flaminius | Rome | Italy | Cited in Humphrey; it is not entirely clear whether this 'structure' was, in fact, a circus or stadium of the form of the others in this list; Wikimapia location; estimates of size are: length 260–500 m, width 100m. | ||
| Roma Circus of Maxentius, a.k.a. Circus of Caracalla | Rome | Italy | Visible track length: c490m; visible track width: c80m; form clearly visible; U-shaped; the space is unoccupied by any modern structures; many parts of the structure are visible. | further images | |
| Roma Circus Maximus | Rome | Italy | Track length: c621m; track width: c150m; form substantially visible; U-shaped; the space is practically unoccupied by any modern structures; only a few parts of the structure are visible or remain. | ||
| Roma Circus of Nero, a.k.a. Circus of Caligula, or Vatican Circus | Rome | Italy | Cited in Humphrey; location just to the south of St. Peter's Basilica well established, though exact position and orientation unknown; the only surviving remains are the obelisk which was brought from Egypt to adorn the spina in 37 AD; the obelisk was moved to its current location in Saint Peter's Square in 1586. | images | |
| Roma Circus Varianus; :it:Circo Variano | Rome | Italy | Cited in Humphrey; Wikimapia location; length: 565m; width: 125m. | images | |
| Gadara | Umm Qais | Jordan | Cited in Humphrey; a German language archaeological site map of Gadara indicates a location for what is described as a hippodrome. | ||
| Gerasa | Jerash | Jordan | cited in Humphrey; visible track length: c245m; visible track width: c50m; form clearly visible; U-shaped; the space is unoccupied by any modern structures; a great deal of the structure still stands. | further images | |
| Colonia Iulia Augusta Felix Berytus Beirut Hippodrome | Beirut | Lebanon | cited in Humphrey; the location is of the archaeological site of the Beirut Hippodrome as given on Wikimapia; this may, or may not, be the same structure as the circus. | ||
| Tyre Hippodrome | Tyre | Lebanon | cited in Humphrey; visible track length: c435m; visible track width: c80m; form clearly visible; U-shaped; the space is unoccupied by any modern structures; a great deal of the structure is still visible. | further images | |
| Cyrene | Shahhat | Libya | cited in Humphrey; visible track length: c300m?; visible track width: c45m; form reasonably visible; U-shaped; the space is unoccupied by any modern structures; little of the structure is still visible; sometimes referred to as a hippodrome. | images | |
| Leptis Magna | Khoms OR Al Khums | Libya | cited in Humphrey; located both on and parallel to the sea shore; visible track length: c445m; visible track width: c75m; form clearly visible; U-shaped; the space is unoccupied by any modern structures; some of the structure is still visible. | images | |
| Aeminium | Coimbra | Portugal | believed to have existed, but unconfirmed; archaeological information about the Roman town; reference to a suggested location for the circus ; suggested location. | ||
| Balsa | Tavira | Portugal | cited in Humphrey; the location is approximately that indicated conjecturally, though with considerable certainty, at; that site states "the topographic marks of permit a reasonably rigorous survey"; length: c375m; width: c80m. | ||
| Miróbriga | Santiago do Cacém | Portugal | cited in Chase; visible track length: c330m; visible track width: c70m; form clearly visible; U-shaped; the space is unoccupied by any modern structures; little of the structure is still visible. | images | |
| Olissipona | Lisbon | Portugal | in what is today the 'Rossio'; an account of excavations which uncovered a section of the spina of the circus can be found at. | ||
| Sirmium | Sremska Mitrovica | Serbia | cited in Humphrey; the location is a close approximation based on information at; length: c450m; width: c150m; the structure lies buried some 2–4 m under the current town centre, just to the north of the partially excavated palace; only very small sections have been excavated. | ||
| Calagurris | Calahorra | Spain | cited in Humphrey; the circus lies under the pedestrian thoroughfare 'Paseo Del Mercadal'; length c300-350m. | ||
| :es:Cáparra|Cáparra | Capera | Spain | cited in Humphrey; the location, from Wikimapia and Spanish Wikipedia is of the ruins of the Roman city only; there is no indication of the location of the circus. | ||
| Corduba | Córdoba | Spain | location from Wikimapia and others; length: c370m; entirely buried under the existing city centre; virtually no remains visible. | ||
| Emerita Augusta Circus Maximus | Mérida | Spain | Cited in Humphrey; visible track length: c400m; visible track width: c85m; form clearly visible; U-shaped but without the distinctive slanted 'flat' carceres end seen in many other circuses; instead the 'flat' end is slightly rounded; the space is unoccupied by any modern structures; much of the structure is still visible. | further images | |
| Italica | Santiponce | Spain | cited in Humphrey; very approximate location; the circus lies under the centre of the existing old town of Santiponce; nothing is visible; note that the very large amphitheatre at Italica is sometimes referred to as a circus. | ||
| Saguntum | Sagunto | Spain | cited in Humphrey; the location of the circus has been confirmed by the excavation, and preservation, of a gate to the circus; the circus lies buried under the existing town; only the gate is visible; length: c350m; width: c73m. | images | |
| Tarraco | Tarragona | Spain | cited in Humphrey; most of the circus lies buried under the existing town; a substantial part of the curved eastern end, and part of the south-western side, are visible; track length: c290m; track width: c75m. | images | |
| Toletum | Toledo | Spain | Cited in Humphrey; between a third and a half of the circus, including the round end, is partially visible; the remainder of the circus, has either been obliterated, or lies under modern constructions; suggested length: c430m; visible width: c75m. | images | |
| Zafra | Spain | cited in Humphrey; there appears to be significant uncertainty about the status, and even name, of Zafra in the Roman era; the town appears to have no significant Roman remains other than those of some 20 Roman villas in the surrounding area; no online circus-specific information found. | |||
| Nova Trajana Bostra | Bosra Eski Sham OR Busra Eski Şam OR Busra ash-Sham | Syria | cited in Humphrey; French maps of Roman Bosra showing the location of the circus ; visible track length: c430m; visible track width: c110m; form clearly visible; U-shaped; the space is virtually unoccupied by any modern structures; much of the structure still stands. | images | |
| Laodicea ad Mare | Latakia | Syria | cited in Humphrey; no online circus-specific information found. | ||
| Abthugni | Henchir Souar OR Henchir Esch Schorr OR Henchir es Souar | Tunisia | . | cited in Humphrey; coordinates of place; location of place on topographic map ; references to Henchir Souar; aerial photograph of place confirms coordinates reference; topographic features on aerial photograph match with; no online circus-specific information found. | |
| Carthago Circus of Carthage | Carthage | Tunisia | Cited in Humphrey; location; length: c500m; width: c90m; U-shaped; very little remains visible; partly occupied by modern constructions. | images | |
| Commodum OR Municipium Aurelium Commodum | Henchir Bou Cha or Henchir Fraxine | Tunisia | cited in Humphrey; archaeological document of Tunisian government ; location of place on topographic map ; no online circus-specific information found. | ||
| Hadrumetum OR Colonia Concordia Ulpia Trajana Augusta Frugifera Hadrumetina | Sousse | Tunisia | cited in Humphrey; probable location based on information in 1903 documents, reinforced by an undated aerial photograph; visible length : c350m or greater. | ||
| Thugga OR Municipium Septimium Aurelium Liberum Thugga | Dougga | Tunisia | cited in Chase; approximate location, on the north western edge of town, suggested on plan, and plan; various lengths are referenced: c175m, 393m; the site is open agricultural land with no subsequent occupation. | images | |
| Thysdrus | El Djem | Tunisia | cited in Humphrey; visible track length: c500m; visible track width: c70m; form lightly visible; U-shaped; the space is unoccupied by any modern structures; little of the structure is still visible. | images | |
| Utica | near Zana | Tunisia | cited in Humphrey; Tunisian archaeological site number: 007.157 ; reference to circus; uncorroborated location; more probable location as indicated by the maps in confirms the given location; approximate length measured from the maps in: 280-300m. | ||
| Antioch Circus of Antioch | Antakya | Turkey | cited in Humphrey; location ; map of ancient Antioch showing the circus as a hippodrome; length: c490m; width: c90m; very little visible today; is more visible in a 1930s aerial photograph; lightly over-built by modern structures and occupations. | images | |
| Aphrodisias | Aphrodisias | Turkey | Double-U-shaped; very substantially preserved; significantly smaller than other circuses; may be considered a stadium or hippodrome rather than a circus; visible track length: c220m; visible track width: 35m. | images | |
| Byzantium Hippodrome of Constantinople | Istanbul | Turkey | Built under Septimius Severus; estimated length: c450m; estimated width: c130m; other than some monuments from the spina, virtually none of the structure is visible today; it is believed much of the structure may lie buried some 2m below the current surface. | images | |
| Laodicea on the Lycus | Denizli | Turkey | referred to as a stadium; double U-shaped and small; visible track length: c250m; visible track width: c40m; form clearly visible; no visible spina; unoccupied by any subsequent construction. | ||
| Nicomedia | İzmit | Turkey | cited in Humphrey; general information on the archaeological remains of Nicomedia; Kocaeli municipal history, including a 19th-century map showing the location of the historic nucleus of the city ; no online circus-specific information found. |