#RomanCircus20 Blog – Richard

Some words from historian Richard Bale on his interest in the Roman Circus.

“I’ve always been passionate about the Romans, but it’s the brilliance of their buildings that has always struck a personal chord. The way that they combined function with aesthetic is remarkable. Unfortunately, we rarely get to know the name of the architect, or even who supervised a construction project. Yet hundreds, if not thousands, of people created wonderful structures that inspired their contemporaries and left future generations wondering – “How did they manage to build that?”. This is especially true of the buildings designed for entertainment. Theatres were provided with fabulous acoustics; Amphitheatres with great lines of sight of the arena; and Circuses with a track to test the charioteers and excite the spectators. No wonder “spectacles” (the generic term for these entertainments) were so popular at the time. They were venues where people could forget about their harsh, and relatively short lives, and enjoy some escapism.

It has been my personal joy to deliver talks at the Roman Circus Visitor Centre over the past few years, combining archaeological and historical evidence to help to explain how things functioned “back in the day”. The funds generated have helped with refurbishments, including a very appropriate wall colour of Pompeian Red. A big THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed through their attendance.

In the 20^th anniversary year of the Circus’ discovery, let’s hope that future redevelopment allows the site to be opened up further.

It’s also important to remember that all museums need community support if they are to endure. I would encourage everyone to visit the Roman Circus Visitor Centre and attend the events. Wearing a toga is optional!

Regards, Richard Bale”

*Image of Circus in Spain*