
Astley's Ampitheatre in London circa 1808.
Philip Astley opened 'Astley's Amphitheatre' in
London in
1773.
★ The structure was burned in
1794, then rebuilt. In course of prosperity and rebuilding after successive fires, it grew into Astley's Royal Amphitheatre where the circus was held.
Astley's original circus was 62 ft (~19 m) in
diameter, and later he settled it at 42 ft (~13 m), which has been an international standard for circuses since then.
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