The spina. an object conspicuous from its situation. was in general highly decorated with such objects as statues, small temples, altars, etc. In the spina of the Circa", Alaximus, two large obelisks were erected by Augustus and Constantius. This circus was also distinguished by six towers, and by a eanal or eu•ipus, formed by Julius C:esar, to protect the spectators more effectually during the conflicts of wild beasts.
The circus was especially adapted for races— an amusement of which the Romans were pas sionately fond. The length of the race was seven circuits round the spina. and from ten to twenty tacos were run in each day. The number of chariots was usually four. The charioteers adopted different colors, representing the four seasons. Bets and party spirit ran high, and the victor received a substantial pecuniary re ward at the end of the race. The athletic exer cises, such as boxing and W•estling, 1•11• te•ininated fatally, were prolmbly exhibit ed in the large open space between the careeres and the spina. The Indus Troia. was n mock conflict between young men on horseback. A regula r battle was represented (pugna equestris et pcdeNtris). By the forma tion of canals and the introduction of vessels, a nauma•hia, or sen-fight, was occasionally ex hibited; but under the Empire this species of exhibition. as well as the renatio, was gradually transferred to the amphitheatre (q.v., and MACIIIA I. In providing for the renaHo, or hunt ing of wild beasts, vast sums of money were ex Animals were procured from every available part of the Roman Empire, including Africa and Asia. The exhibition afforded not only an opportunity for the display of private munificence or ostentation, but attained the im portance of a political engine. MARI who aspired to popularity ventured to overlook. When Pompey opened his new theatre, he is said to have given public exhibitions in the cir ens for live days. during which time 500 lions and 20 elephants were destroyed.
There is an almost continuous tradition from the Roman days of various performances for the amusement of the populace. corresponding in many partienlars to those of the Boman ammphi ( See ACROBAT: The mod ( rn circus, as a combination on a large scale of feats of skill and dexterity, may be traced to I he performances given in London. front 1770 on. by Philip Astley, at first in the open air, and from 1780 in his amphitheatre. After his death, in IS] I the great equestrian Inwro• was the most prominent figure in the development of thy circus; but during Astley's lifetime traveling circuses had beelluM eononon in and permanent amphitheatres had been opened in sev eral 1:1EIR. towns. After Astley's. the most not
able English were Ilengler's and San ger's. American traditions are less full and (dear. but the development seems to have begun about the same time. The earliest definite is Rickets, w!“),1' performance Cell. ington is said to have witnessed in Philadelphia.
But it was not until about 18:30 that exhibitions on anything like a large scale began to be given. Purdy, Welch & Co., at this date, and Van Amburgh a few years later, gave per formanees which for the time were of consider able excellence; in fact. greater merit was often shown in individual work than later, as less re liance could be placed upon the magnificence of the accessories. The humor of the clown. which formed so large a part of the early attractions, has diminished in effect with the growth of the size of the ring. The horse. whose trained per formances were the mainstay of the circus fifty years ago, has taken a secondary 'dace. Feats of strength and acrobatic exhibitions now form the principal attraction ; and the more hazardous they are, the better they are liked. In fact, there is a noticeable tendency in the popu lar mind to return to the Roman appetite for blood and peril of life. The lavish provision of entertainment can no longer find place in one ring; two and even three have become usual, with different exhibitions going on simultane ously. The organization of the modern circus, with which the name of P. T. Barnum (q.v.) is inseparably associated. has become an extremely costly and complicated affair, requiring as great executive ability as the conduct of a small army in the field. The development of railroad systems of this latter period. however, has made it possible to cover long distances with the im mense quantity of paraphernalia belonging to the modern circus. The attainment of the pres ent gigantic proportions by these organizations, and the investment of millions in the undertak ing, has led present-day managers into a ten dency toward consolidation of interests, which has all but taken definite shape in a division of territory between three or four great shows, one remaining in Europe for a year or two. while another covers the American lield. See ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN.