An ancient Greek stadium for horse and chariot racing. The typical hippodrome was dug into a hillside and an embankment was created for supporting seats on the opposite side. The hippodrome was oblong, with one end semicircular and the other square (resembling a U with a closed top). There were tiered seats along the length and curve; at the straight end dignitaries occupied seats. A low wall (spina) ran most of the length of the stadium and divided the course. The spina was decorated with monuments and had sculptures that could be tilted or removed to keep spectators informed of the laps completed by the racers. It is much the same as a stadium, but intended rather for horse- than foot-racing. The hippodrome was the initial model for the Roman circus, which likewise concentrated on chariot-races.