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
Punta Arenas their own time zone: they use summer time during the whole year (UTC−3). The English 18th-century explorer John Byron is sometimes credited with naming this area, calling it Sandy Point. However, it was not until 1843 that the government tried to establish a fort and settlement at Fuerte Bulnes. The name "Punta Arenas" was derived from the Spanish term "Punta Arenosa", a literal translation of the English name "Sandy Point". The city has also been known as "Magallanes". Today that term is normally used to describe the administrative region which includes the city. Punta Arenas has been nicknamed "the city