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Circus entertainment has roots reaching back thousands of years. Acrobats, jugglers, rope walkers, and trick riders performed at fairs and public gatherings in many places around the world. Ancient Rome also had venues called circuses, where crowds watched events such as chariot races, but those were different from the circus show we know today. The modern circus is usually traced to Philip Astley, an English cavalryman and skilled horse rider. In 1768, he and his wife, Patty, began presenting horseback performances in London. Astley rode in a circular arena, where the shape helped him keep his balance while performing tricks on horseback. Astley’s early shows focused on riding, but he soon added other popular performers. Acrobats, jugglers, rope dancers, clowns, and strongmen joined the program, giving audiences a variety of acts in one show. This mix of performances helped establish the format of the modern circus. The word “circus” became associated with this kind of entertainment in the late 1700s. Astley’s rival, Charles Dibdin, is credited with first using the word for a show like Astley’s. Astley himself is often called the father of the modern circus because he helped bring riding and other acts together in a ring. Over time, circuses began traveling from place to place so people in different towns could see the show. Canvas tents made it easier to set up outdoors, and railroads later helped large circuses transport performers and equipment across long distances.
