It's 250 years since the institution was born in Britain after impresario Philip Astley put on displays of tricks at his own riding school.
Since then the genre has become synonymous with the shocked delight of small children and their families, enveloped in the majestic enclosure of the circus marquee – or lion's den.
Here we explore the bold and bizarre endeavours of the carnivalesque creation through the ages.
Rare black and white photos pay testament to the enduring beauty of circus magic, while technicolour shots showcase how it's evolved from a sometimes barbaric initiative to a sprawling mass of artistry.
Meet the jungle tiger, the Flinstone model and a host of other extraordinary characters in this astonishing picture gallery.
Sax in the City
Crocodile tears
Wheelie painful
Lion's hair
Caveman chic
1915: A strongman rocks Flintstone fashion
Rat snack
Ring of fire
Musical chairs
Elephants in the room
Biker Groove
Deep tissue massage
Clowning about
Trumpety Trump, Trump Trump Trump
Head and shoulders
Titillating
Tears of a Clown
Child's Play
Babysitting
Some Like It Hot
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