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
Marcus (name) Biberach an der Riß, Germany. People with the name Marcus or its variants include: In art and literature In television and film In music In fictional characters In Ancient Rome In politics Marcus (name) Marcus is a masculine given name of Ancient Roman pre-Christian origin derived either from Etruscan "Marce" of unknown meaning (possibly from the Etruscan ""mar"" which means "to harvest"), or referring to the god Mars. Because Mars was identified as the Roman god of War, the name 'Marcus' can by extension be taken to refer to Ares in the Greek pantheon. The name is popular in Europe,