Editing Ancient Roman architecture (section)

=== Circus ===
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 Greece|ancient Greek]] [[hippodrome]]s, although circuses served varying purposes and differed in design and construction. Along with [[Roman theatre (structure)|theatres]] and [[amphitheatre]]s, circuses were one of the main entertainment sites of the time. Circuses were venues for [[chariot racing]], [[horse race]]s, and performances that commemorated important events of the Empire were performed there. For events that involved re-enactments of [[naval battle]]s, the circus was flooded with water.

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 (in most cases) by a distinctive starting gate known as the ''[[carceres]]'', thereby creating a circuit for the races.