![]() ![]() ![]() Those that do not display two different variations: that at Emerita Augusta (Mérida, Spain), 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. The great majority of circuses fit the description above. One circus, that at Antinoöpolis (Egypt), displays a distinct gap of some 50m between the carceres and the start of the ascending seating where there is apparently no structure. 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. The turning points on either end of the spina were usually marked by conical poles, called the metae (singular: meta). The median strip was called the spina and usually featured ornate columns, statues and commemorative obelisks. The Circus Maximus epitomises the 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 (in most cases) by a distinctive starting gate known as the carceres, thereby creating a circuit for the races. ![]() This design is typical of Roman circuses. ![]()
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