From its inception as entertainment during the Roman Empire, the circus has come to represent broadly any form of extravaganza that includes trained animal acts and human feats of strength and skill. Growing out of the decline of the sprawling, disreputable fairs of the eighteenth century the modern circus’ most common venue is the three-ring “Big Top,” an enormous tent with temporary stadium seating that travels from town to town by rail or truck. Several different types of acts, such as trick horse riding, clowns and trapeze artists, may run simultaneously. Ringling Brothers, combined with Barnum & Bailey, has come to be the best-known traveling circus in the US. Circuses now face dilemmas from restrictions on animals to corporate control.