The modern circus has its roots in ancient Rome, where performers entertained crowds with acts such as acrobatics, tightrope walking and animal tricks
The first circus to use a tent as a venue was the 'Circus Maximus,' which was founded in 1793 by Englishman Philip Astley.
Circus performers often have their own language called 'circus slang,' which includes terms like 'cannonball,' meaning a backflip, etc
The famous Ringling Brothers circus used to have a 'freak show' as part of their acts, featuring performers with unusual physical characteristics
The circus was a popular form of entertainment in the Soviet Union, and the Moscow State Circus is considered one of the best in the world.
Circus performers have to be in excellent physical shape, and many spend hours a day practicing and training.
The circus has inspired numerous works of art, including paintings by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Pablo Picasso.
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