224 CONJECTURAL FORM OF MINOAN ARENA
a building for the spectators either with a straight frontage or actually sur-
rounding a rectilinear space—like the Central Courts of the Palaces'—
coupled with an elliptical enclosure probably surrounded by a wooden
Fig. 11
Acrobat between Horns of Bull on Steatite ' Rhyton ' from Hagia
Triada.
palisade for the performances themselves. The Spanish Plazas show
a space between the ring-fence of the arena and the actual front wall
below the spectators—answering to the podium of the Roman Amphitheatre
and giving them greater security.
1 It does not follow that these sports as a
rule took place in the Central Courts of the
Palaces. The ' Grand Stands ' as seen in the
fresco suggest a special ' theatral' arrange-
ment. If on occasion ceremonial shows of
this kind were held in the Central Court of
Knossos, opposite the little Pillar Shrine of the
Goddess, a fenced enclosure must have been
specially set up within the Court.
a building for the spectators either with a straight frontage or actually sur-
rounding a rectilinear space—like the Central Courts of the Palaces'—
coupled with an elliptical enclosure probably surrounded by a wooden
Fig. 11
Acrobat between Horns of Bull on Steatite ' Rhyton ' from Hagia
Triada.
palisade for the performances themselves. The Spanish Plazas show
a space between the ring-fence of the arena and the actual front wall
below the spectators—answering to the podium of the Roman Amphitheatre
and giving them greater security.
1 It does not follow that these sports as a
rule took place in the Central Courts of the
Palaces. The ' Grand Stands ' as seen in the
fresco suggest a special ' theatral' arrange-
ment. If on occasion ceremonial shows of
this kind were held in the Central Court of
Knossos, opposite the little Pillar Shrine of the
Goddess, a fenced enclosure must have been
specially set up within the Court.