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
Roman Catholic Diocese of Punta Arenas Roman Catholic Diocese of Punta Arenas The Roman Catholic Diocese of Punta Arenas (in Latin: " Dioecesis Punta Arenas ") is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Puerto Montt, in Chile. Its current bishop is Mgr. Bernardo Bastres Florence, S.D.B. and the retired (emeritus) bishop is Mgr. Tomás Osvaldo González Morales. In 1883 the Holy See established the Apostolic Prefecture of Patagonia Meridional, Tierra del Fuego e Islas Malvinas, which was entrusted to the Salesian congregation. In 1916, the prefecture was upgraded and its name changed to Apostolic Vicariate of Magallanes e Islas Malvinas, and on 17 January 1947,