Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Circus

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

CIRCUS (Κίρκος.) Polyb. xxx. 13. 2.) A Roman circus, or race-course, which, in the earliest times, was nothing more than a flat open space, round which temporary wooden platforms or scaffoldings were raised for the spectators to stand upon; but even before the destruction of the monarchy, a permanent building was constructed for the purpose, and laid out upon a regular plan, ever afterwards retained until the final dissolution of the empire; and then the entire edifice, with its race-course and appendages, were included under the general name of circus. Liv. i. 35. Varro, L. L. v. 135. Dionys. iii. 68.

The ground-plan was laid out in an oblong form, terminating in a semicircle at one extremity, and enclosed at the opposite end by a pile of buildings called "the town" (oppidum), under which the stalls (carceres) for the horses and chariots were distributed, marked A. A. in the engraving (Circus/1.1), which represents the ground-plan of a circus still remaining in considerable preservation on the Appian Way, near Rome, commonly known as the Circus of Caracalla. A long low wall (spina, B on the plan) was built lengthways down the course, so as to divide it, like a barrier, into two distinct parts; and at each of its ends was placed a goal (meta), round which the chariots turned; the one nearest to the stables (C) being termed meta prima, the farthest one (D) meta secunda. It will be perceived that the two sides of the circus in the example are not quite parallel to each other, and that the spina is not exactly equidistant from both sides. Perhaps this is an exceptional case, only adopted in structures of a limited extent, like the present one, with the object of affording most room for the chariots at the commencement of the race, when they all started abreast; but when the goal at the bottom (D) had been turned, their position would be more in column than in line; and consequently less width would be required across that side of the course. For a similar reason, the right horn of the circus is longer than the left; and the stalls (A A) are arranged in the segment of a circle, of which the centre falls exactly in the middle point (E), between the first meta and the side of the building, at which the race commenced. The object of this was that all the chariots, as they came out from their stalls, might have the same distance to pass over before they reached the spot where the start took place, which was at the opening of the course, where a chalked rope (alba linea, E) was fastened across from two small marble pillars (hermulae), and loosened away from one side, as soon as all the horses had brought up fairly abreast of it, and the signal for the start had been displayed. The outbuilding (F) is the emperor's box (pulvinar); and the one on the opposite side (G) supposed to have been intended for the magistrate (editor spectaculorum), at whose charge the games were exhibited. In the centre of the end occupied by the stalls was a grand entrance (H), called porta pompae, through which the Circensian procession entered the ground before the races commenced; another one was constructed at the circular extremity (I), called porta triumphalis, through which the victors left the ground in a sort of triumph; a third is situated on the right side (K), called porta libitinensis, through which the killed or wounded drivers were conveyed away, and two others (L L) were left close by the carceres, through which the chariots were driven into the ground.

As regards the external and internal elevation of the edifice, a circus was constructed upon a similar design to that adopted for theatres and amphitheatres; consisting on the outside of one or more stories of arcades, according to the size and grandeur of the building, through which the spectators entered upon the staircases, leading into the interior of the fabric. The interior was arranged in rows of seats, divided into tiers, and separated by stairs and landing-places, in the same manner as described and illustrated under the word AMPHITHEATRUM; of which a fair idea may be conceived from the next engraving (Circus/1.2), representing the ancient race-course at Constantinople, as it appears on an old map, executed before that city was taken by the Turks. Though a ruin, it shows distinctly the arcades and outer shell of the building; some fragments of the rows of seats for the spectators; the spina, with its obelisks and columns nearly perfect; the meta prima on the right hand of it; the oppidum and carceres, arranged on a curved line, like the first example; and one of the gates, through which the chariots entered the ground, like those marked L L on the ground-plan; it is besides remarkable as affording the only known instance in which the superstructure of a circus is exhibited.

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  Circus/1.1
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  Circus/1.2