Hippodrome

Hippodrome, any open or closed structure for circuses or similar spectacles. Originally a Greek outdoor course for horse and chariot races, it was adopted by the Romans, who built numerous hippodromes. Shaped like the letter U, with tiers of open seats on 3 sides and closed across the fourth by an area for distinguished guests, such a stadium was frequently up to 400 ft (120 m) wide and 700 ft (210 m) long. The most famous hippodrome was the Circus Maximus at Rome, which could hold over 300,000 spectators.