The vase, produced around 160-200 years ago, is more than just a ceramic artifact. Scholars consider it a unique graphic and epigraphic testament to the gladiatorial games held in the ancient Roman city of Camulodunum – the first capital of Roman Britain, now known as Colchester.
The vase, adorned with images of gladiators, was discovered in 1853 during excavations in the western part of the Colchester cemetery. This artifact was part of a group of burial vases that included four vessels.
The intricate designs and inscriptions on the Colchester clay vase immediately caught the attention of researchers. They recognized it as a significant relic that provided valuable insights into the cultural practices of Roman Britain, particularly regarding gladiatorial games.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
A new study conducted by scholars Glynn J. K. Davis and John Pierce, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of specialists, revealed that the Colchester vase is a commissioned piece that documented a real combat event that took place in the city. Initially, the vase was used for decoration and drinking. However, it eventually became an urn for the ashes of a non-local man over 40 years old. While it is unlikely that the deceased was a gladiator during his lifetime, he may have had some connection to these games.
The researchers assert that the vase sheds light on gladiatorial combat in Roman Britain, demonstrating the complex relationships between local culture, military influence, and the gladiators who captivated the public, as reported by Arkeonews.
According to the researchers, the vase was crafted in kilns located west of Colchester. It was embellished with elaborate designs and inscriptions bearing the names of two gladiators. Thus, the researchers concluded that the creation of the vase was dedicated to a specific event.
On the left, the ancient artisan depicted a gladiator named Memnon, while on the right, his opponent, Valentinus, was illustrated. Experts identified Memnon as a secutor – an experienced fighter known for his victories. The inscription on the vase indicated that Memnon had participated in at least nine battles, marking him as a notable figure in the competitive world of Roman entertainment, where success was measured by the number of wins.
His opponent, Valentinus, based on the inscription on the pottery, was associated with the Roman army’s Legio XXX Ulpia Victrix, which was stationed in what is now Germany.
Researchers suggest that some legions may have maintained their own groups of gladiators. The absence of mentions of Valentinus’s fights on the vase could indicate that he was a tiro, or a novice gladiator, just beginning his journey to fame. The new study has called into question previous assumptions about the technology used for the inscriptions. Scholars believe that they were likely carved before the vessel was fired, rather than afterward, as previously thought. This finding is supported by the quality of the inscription and the absence of ragged edges: these characteristics suggest that the vase was crafted by an experienced artisan.
The Significance of the Vase
The Colchester ceramic artifact stands as a vivid testament to the existence of Roman spectacles on British soil. Although no amphitheater has yet been found in Colchester, a Roman circus – the only documented one in Britain – has been discovered. Meanwhile, the vase’s discovery confirmed that the city was a hub of public entertainment, with gladiatorial games, much like chariot races, being an integral part of local culture.
Moreover, the vase attested to the connections between Colchester and German territories, particularly the movement of gladiators between them.
This discovery is part of a project by the Colchester Museum aimed at studying the cultural and social dynamics of gladiatorial games in the northwestern provinces of the Roman Empire.