circus architecture
Introduction
The so-called Roman circus is one of the most important facilities in Roman cities. Together with the theater and the amphitheater, it forms the trilogy of large facilities designed to entertain the people. Inspired by Greek hippodromes and stadiums, but much larger than these, the Roman circus was intended for races, shows, and performances that commemorated the events of the Empire.
The Roman circus is a very elongated enclosure with circular finials at the ends, overall having an oval shape, more or less elongated. In the center, surrounded by steps usually made of stone, was the arena "Arena (enclosure)") (in Latin hārēna).
Roman circuses in Italy
Domitian Stadium
Built in Rome, more than a circus, it is a stadium very similar to that of the Greeks. Currently the monument has remained under the basement of the current Piazza Navona, remains can be seen under it.
Roman circuses in Hispania
Roman circus of Mérida
This Roman circus is about 440 m long and 115 m wide, it was the largest of the buildings dedicated to shows in the city and, together with the amphitheater, it was the one that enjoyed the favor of an audience more given to strong recreational emotions than to cultured theatrical works. Due to its large dimensions, it was located outside the walled area, next to the road that linked Emerita with Corduba (Córdoba "Córdoba (Spain)") and Toletum (Toledo). Currently there is an interpretation center next to the monument and it can be fully visited. It had a capacity of about 30,000 spectators distributed in a stand with the now classic division into three caveas, marked by the different social origins of its occupants.
Its construction took place in the first decades of the century. The venue has a central arena where the competitions were held. In the middle of this, there is a central fence called spina with a length of 223 m and a width of 8.5 m that was once decorated with monoliths and other motifs. One of the favorite shows were the bigas (two horses) and quadrigas (four horses) races. The chariot drivers, called charioteers, were very popular characters; some have been immortalized in paintings and mosaics along with the horses of Hispania equally famous at the time.[1].