Ancient Roman architecture could penetrate through the clerestory windows. The oldest known basilica, the Basilica Porcia, was built in Rome in 184 BC by Cato the Elder during the time he was Censor. Other early examples include the basilica at Pompeii (late 2nd century BC). After Christianity became the official religion, the basilica shape was found appropriate for the first large public churches, with the attraction of avoiding reminiscences of the Greco-Roman temple form. The Roman circus was a large open-air venue used for public events in the ancient Roman Empire. The circuses were similar to the ancient Greek hippodromes, although circuses served
The Love That Dares to Speak Its Name successful blasphemy trial in the UK. The poem itself was considered of low artistic value, both by critics and the author himself. In 2002, a deliberate and well-publicised public repeat reading of the poem took place on the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square, without any incidents. Kirkup criticized the politicizing of his poem. The Love That Dares to Speak Its Name The Love That Dares to Speak Its Name is a controversial poem by James Kirkup. It is written from the viewpoint of a Roman centurion who is graphically described having sex with Jesus after his crucifixion,