Discoveries

March 31, 2023

The Fight Club

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New archaeological evidence suggested that Roman Britain had its fair share of gladiatorial fights and spectacles, the Guardian reported.

A science team carefully studied a second-century CE vase first discovered in a Roman grave in Colchester, England in 1853. The vase was used as a funerary vessel holding the remains of an unknown individual.

But it also depicted scenes of gladiatorial combat, including two human figures wearing armor and weapons, as well as dogs chasing other animals.

Analysis of the artifact showed that the vase was made from local clay around 160-200 CE – instead of abroad as historians previously believed.

“It’s the only evidence of a Roman arena gladiator combat actually being staged in Britain,” said Frank Hargrave, director of Colchester and Ipswich Museums (CIMS), which owns the vase. “There are no written descriptions.”

Researchers also studied the human remains and found that the individual was a non-local man of “potentially European origin” over the age of 40. They speculate that the person owned the vase and was involved with the bloody sport in some way – either he was a die-hard fan or a gladiator trainer.

“It’s a commemorative piece, almost a trophy for the trophy cabinet,” said Glynn Davis, a senior curator at CIMS.

Despite its significance and implications, researchers noted that Colchester did not have any amphitheater where the gladiators could fight.

But it did have two Roman theaters that could have operated as arenas for the ancient crowds to stay entertained.

This story originally appeared in the March 31, 2023 newsletter, Joyful Warriors.