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Coordinates: 38°54′58″N 6°20′16″W / 38.91611°N 6.33778°W / 38.91611; -6.33778
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{{Short description|Roman circus in Mérida, Spain}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox ancient site
{{Infobox ancient site
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| native_name = Circo Romano de Mérida
| native_name = Circo Romano de Mérida
| native_name_lang = es
| native_name_lang = es
| image = VR Merida 03-Circo Romano.jpg
| image = Circo romano de Mérida.jpg
| caption = View from the roof of the adjacent museum
| caption = View of the Roman circus
| type = [[Roman circus]]
| type = [[Roman circus]]
| location = [[Mérida, Spain|Mérida]] ([[Province of Badajoz|Badajoz]]), Spain
| location = [[Mérida, Spain|Mérida]] ([[Province of Badajoz|Badajoz]]), Spain
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}}
}}


The '''Roman circus of Mérida''' ({{lang-es|Circo romano}}) is a ruined [[Circus (building)|Roman circus]] in [[Mérida, Spain|Mérida]], [[Spain]]. Used for [[chariot racing]], it was modelled on the [[Circus Maximus]] in [[Rome]] and other circus buildings throughout the empire. Measuring more than 400&nbsp;m in length and 30&nbsp;m of width, it is one of the best preserved examples of the [[Circus (building)|Roman circus]].<ref>[http://www.spain.info/TourSpain/Arte+y+Cultura/Monumentos/L/CH/0/Circo+de+Merida?Language=en] {{dead link|date=August 2018}}</ref> It could house up to 30,000 spectators.
The '''Roman circus of Mérida''' is a [[Roman circus]] in the Roman ''[[Colonia (Roman)|colonia]]'' of [[Emerita Augusta]] –present-day [[Mérida, Spain|Mérida]], Spain–, capital of the [[Roman province]] of [[Lusitania]]. Used for [[chariot racing]] during [[ancient Rome]], it was modelled on the [[Circus Maximus]] in [[Rome]] and other circus buildings throughout the Empire. Measuring more than {{convert|400|m|abbr=on}} in length and {{convert|30|m|abbr=on}} width, it could house up to 30,000 spectators. Although currently in ruins, it is one of the best preserved examples of Roman circus.

It is part of the [[Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida]], which is one of the largest and most extensive archaeological sites in Spain and that was declared a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]] in 1993.


==History==
==History==
There is no consensus about the circus' dating, as it was built and used for several years before its official dedication. It seems to have been built sometime around 20 BC and inaugurated some 30 years later. It was located far outside the city walls, but close to the road that connected the city to [[Toledo, Spain|Toledo]] and [[Córdoba, Spain|Córdoba]].
There is no consensus about the circus' dating, as it was built and used for several years before its official dedication. It seems to have been built sometime around 20 BC and inaugurated some 30 years later. It was located far outside the city walls, but close to the road that connected the city to [[Toledo, Spain|Toledo]] and [[Córdoba, Spain|Córdoba]].


After the fall of the [[Western Roman Empire]] and the rise of [[Christianity]] in [[Spain]], the circus saw more use than the other Roman structures of Mérida, since racing was considered less sinful than spectacles performed in the [[Theater (structure)|theatre]] and [[amphitheater]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spanisharts.com/arquitectura/imagenes/roma/i_merida_circo.html|title=Roman Circus of Merida.|website=Spanisharts.com|accessdate=12 August 2018}}</ref>
After the [[fall of the Western Roman Empire]] and the rise of [[Christianity]] in Spain, the circus saw more use than the other Roman structures of Mérida, since racing was considered less sinful than spectacles performed in the [[Roman Theatre (Mérida)|Theatre]] and the [[Amphitheatre of Mérida|Amphitheatre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spanisharts.com/arquitectura/imagenes/roma/i_merida_circo.html|title=Roman Circus of Merida.|website=Spanisharts.com|accessdate=12 August 2018}}</ref>


==Modern status==
==Modern status==
Mérida's circus remains very well preserved. As is true with the [[Circus Maximus]], most circuses's structures have been destroyed over time as the area occupied by them was great and often in very flat land near their respective cities. The Mérida circus however has kept numerous structures, including the ''Porta Pompae'' ("main entrance"), the ''Porta Triumphalis''<ref>Mihailuk, Andre, ''Porta triumphalis'', 2013 [https://andreimihailiuk.wixsite.com/romantriumph/porta-triumphalis] accessed 2022-11-17</ref> ("triumph gate"), the ''spina'' (the longitudinal wall), the ''tribunal iudicium'' ("tribune of the judges").
Mérida's circus remains very well preserved. As is true with the [[Circus Maximus]], most circuses's structures have been destroyed over time as the area occupied by them was great and often in very flat land near their respective cities.{{huh?|date=November 2022}} The Mérida circus however has kept numerous structures, including the ''Porta Pompae'' ("main entrance"), the ''Porta Triumphalis''{{dubious|date=November 2022}}<ref>Mihailuk, Andre, ''Porta triumphalis'', in "Mapping the Roman Triumphal procession", 2013 [https://andreimihailiuk.wixsite.com/romantriumph/porta-triumphalis] accessed 2022-11-17</ref> ("triumph gate"), the ''spina'' (the longitudinal wall), the ''tribunal iudicium'' ("tribune of the judges").


A museum dedicated to the circus now sits near the middle edge of the circus grounds and it allows admittance into the fenced area around the circus remains.
A museum dedicated to the circus now sits near the middle edge of the circus grounds and it allows admittance into the fenced area around the circus remains.
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==See also==
==See also==
* [[Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida]]
* [[Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida]]
* [[Hippodrome]] – a Greek arena also used for chariot racing


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 16:04, 3 June 2024

Roman circus of Mérida
Circo Romano de Mérida
View of the Roman circus
LocationMérida (Badajoz), Spain
Coordinates38°54′58″N 6°20′16″W / 38.91611°N 6.33778°W / 38.91611; -6.33778
TypeRoman circus
Official nameThe Roman Circus
TypeCultural
Criteriaiii, iv
Designated1993 (17th session)
Part ofArchaeological Ensemble of Mérida
Reference no.664-010
RegionEurope and North America
Area5.9935 ha (14.810 acres)
Buffer zone20.87 ha (51.6 acres)
Official nameCirco Romano
TypeNon-movable
CriteriaMonument
Designated13 December 1912
Reference no.RI-51-0000109

The Roman circus of Mérida is a Roman circus in the Roman colonia of Emerita Augusta –present-day Mérida, Spain–, capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. Used for chariot racing during ancient Rome, it was modelled on the Circus Maximus in Rome and other circus buildings throughout the Empire. Measuring more than 400 m (1,300 ft) in length and 30 m (98 ft) width, it could house up to 30,000 spectators. Although currently in ruins, it is one of the best preserved examples of Roman circus.

It is part of the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida, which is one of the largest and most extensive archaeological sites in Spain and that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993.

History

[edit]

There is no consensus about the circus' dating, as it was built and used for several years before its official dedication. It seems to have been built sometime around 20 BC and inaugurated some 30 years later. It was located far outside the city walls, but close to the road that connected the city to Toledo and Córdoba.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity in Spain, the circus saw more use than the other Roman structures of Mérida, since racing was considered less sinful than spectacles performed in the Theatre and the Amphitheatre.[1]

Modern status

[edit]

Mérida's circus remains very well preserved. As is true with the Circus Maximus, most circuses's structures have been destroyed over time as the area occupied by them was great and often in very flat land near their respective cities.[clarification needed] The Mérida circus however has kept numerous structures, including the Porta Pompae ("main entrance"), the Porta Triumphalis[dubious – discuss][2] ("triumph gate"), the spina (the longitudinal wall), the tribunal iudicium ("tribune of the judges").

A museum dedicated to the circus now sits near the middle edge of the circus grounds and it allows admittance into the fenced area around the circus remains.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ancient Roman circus of Mérida.
  1. ^ "Roman Circus of Merida". Spanisharts.com. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  2. ^ Mihailuk, Andre, Porta triumphalis, in "Mapping the Roman Triumphal procession", 2013 [1] accessed 2022-11-17
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