1
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Before the appearance of the amphitheater,
gladiator combats took place in the public area of the forum.

2
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Temporary wooden tribunes, installed for the spectators,
marked off the combat area.

3
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They had many drawbacks because they were rectangular:

4
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problems of visibility (blind spots)

5
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the corner can be a place where a gladiator or an animal can take refuge

6
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not possible for the shows to extend into the peripheral area or the corners

7
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The combat area must be adapted to the visual perception of the spectators.

8
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It must also be optimized for the fighters,
and enable them to move about freely.

9
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The elliptical arena appears to be a shape derived from the former oblong combat area,
and an improvement of it.