The Circus Maximus (Latin for "largest arena") is an ancient Roman arena, located in Rome, that is the first and largest circus built by the Empire. Situated in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills the location was first utilized for public games and entertainment by the Etruscan kings of Rome.  Meeting the demands of the Roman citizenry for mass public entertainment on a lavish scale, Julius Caesar expanded the Circus around 50 B.C., after which the track measured approximately 1,968 feet (1/3 of a mile or 600 meters) long by 738 feet (225 meters) wide and could accommodate an estimated 150,000 seated spectators.  It is believed that the majority of Christian martyrdom in Rome took place at the Circus Maximus.