Gladiators in Britain

When you think of Gladiators you tend to think of Roman Amphitheatres, Hollywood films, and probably not Colchester in the UK. But thanks to the discovery of the Colchester Vase, evidence suggests that Gladiators might have fought in an arena in Roman Colchester. From animal hunts, to violent fights to the death - this artefact paints a vivid picture of what Roman life might have been like. But how accurate is this vase, and what does it's detailed imagery really tell us about Gladiators in Roman Britain?In this episode, Tristan welcomes Colchester Museum Curator Glynn Davis to the Podcast, to talk about what life might have been like for a Gladiator in Roman Britain. Using artefacts displayed in the museum, Glynn takes us on a journey through the different types of combat, animals fought, and helps debunk some popular Gladiatorial myths.You can watch Tristan and Glynn's chat here.Learn more about Decoding the Roman Dead here.The Ancients has been nominated in the History category at the Signal Awards! Help us win Gold by casting your vote here!Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code ANCIENTS. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here.You can take part in our listener survey here.