17 September 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

The Colchester Vase: New Analyses Uncover Evidence of Gladiatorial Combat in Roman Britannia

The Colchester Vase, dating back to A.D. 160–200, is not just a ceramic artifact; it is considered a unique graphic and epigraphic testimony to the existence of gladiatorial combats in the Roman city of Camulodunum, now known as Colchester, illuminating the cultural and social dynamics of these games.

A new study led by Glynn J.C. Davis and John Pearce, in collaboration with experts in archaeology, epigraphy, and isotopic analysis, reveals that the Colchester Vase is more than just a decorative artifact; it is suggested to be a commissioned piece that documents a real combat event that took place in the city.

Recent discoveries surrounding the Colchester Vase have revealed its significance as a vital record of gladiatorial games in Roman Britain, showcasing the intricate connections between local culture, military influence, and the performers who captivated audiences of the time.

The vase, crafted in the kilns west of Colchester, features intricate decorations and inscriptions that name individual arena performers, suggesting it was a commissioned piece celebrating a local event.

Among the names that have intrigued researchers is Memnon, identified as a secutor—a type of gladiator known for battling against retiarii, who wielded nets and tridents. The name Memnon, derived from Greek mythology, evokes the legendary Ethiopian king associated with the Trojan War, hinting that it may have served as a stage name, a common practice among gladiators to enhance their personas in the arena. The inscription reveals that Memnon participated in at least nine combats, suggesting he had a notable career within the competitive world of Roman entertainment, where success was often measured by the number of fights fought and victories achieved.

The inscription below the rim of the Colchester Vase. Credit: D. Atfield / Colchester Museums
The inscription below the rim of the Colchester Vase. Credit: D. Atfield / Colchester Museums

Another noteworthy name in the inscription is Valentinus, linked to the Legio XXX Ulpia Victrix, which was stationed in Xanten, modern-day Germany. This connection raises intriguing questions about the relationship between gladiators and the Roman military, a topic that has sparked considerable debate among historians. Some scholars propose that certain legions may have maintained their own groups of gladiators for entertainment purposes. The absence of recorded combats for Valentinus in the inscription may indicate that he was a tiro, or novice gladiator, embarking on his journey in the arena, where the path to fame and glory often began with a single fight.

Recent research has challenged previous assumptions about the vase’s inscription, revealing that it was likely cut before the vessel was fired, rather than afterward as previously believed. This finding is supported by the quality of the lettering and the absence of ragged edges, suggesting a skilled artisan was involved in its creation.

The Colchester Vase was ultimately used as a cremation urn, containing the remains of a non-local male over 40 years old. While it is unlikely that he was one of the performers, his connection to the event adds another layer of significance to the artifact.

The Colchester Vase contributes to a growing body of evidence that highlights the existence of Roman spectacles in the city. Among these findings are fragments of wall paintings featuring gladiators, molds for creating relief figures, and a knife with a handle designed in the likeness of a murmillo, another class of gladiator.

While no amphitheater has yet been discovered in Colchester, the existence of a Roman circus—the only one documented in Britannia—bolsters the idea that the city served as a hub for public entertainment, where chariot races and gladiatorial contests were integral to the local culture.

The Colchester Vase inscription. Detail of the word VALENTINV. Credit: D. Atfield / Colchester Museums
The Colchester Vase inscription. Detail of the word VALENTINV. Credit: D. Atfield / Colchester Museums

Furthermore, the commercial and military ties between Colchester and the Lower Rhine region likely played a crucial role in the movement of gladiators and animals for these events. Epigraphic evidence from the Germanic territories indicates the capture of bears for venationes, or wild animal combats, which may provide context for the hunting scene illustrated on the Colchester Vase.

The Colchester Vase was discovered in 1853 during excavations in the western cemetery area of Colchester, England. It was found as part of a burial group consisting of four vessels. The vase’s intricate decorations and inscriptions quickly attracted attention, leading to its recognition as a significant artifact that provides valuable insights into the cultural practices of Roman Britain, particularly regarding gladiatorial games and public entertainment.

This discovery is part of Colchester Museums’ ongoing “Decoding the Dead” project, which aims to explore the cultural and social dynamics of gladiatorial games in the north-west provinces of the Roman Empire.

Davis, G. J. C., Pearce, J., Carroll, E., Moore, J., Nowell, G., & Montgomery, J. (2024). Gladiators at Roman Colchester: Re-Interpreting the Colchester Vase. Britannia55, 3–24. doi:10.1017/S0068113X24000187

Cover Image Credit: The Colchester Vase burial group, including mortarium lid, dish and flagon. Credit: D. Atfield / Colchester Museums

Related Articles

Ancient tomb discovered under parking lot greenery in Japan

16 September 2023

16 September 2023

Shrubbery intended to illuminate a corner of a nondescript parking lot in Japan’s Nara prefecture turned out to be hiding...

Torrential Rain Reveal 2500-Year-old Small Bull Statue

19 March 2021

19 March 2021

After heavy rains near the ancient Olympia site, a bronze bull statue of a bull believed to be at least...

A Rare Find That Stuns Archaeologists: Ancient 3,500-Year-Old Dagger Found in Germany’s Heartland

22 August 2025

22 August 2025

A simple family walk near the village of Gudersleben in Nordhausen County, in Thuringia, central Germany, has turned into a...

12,000-Year-Old rock art may depict extinct giants of the ice age

13 March 2022

13 March 2022

South America was filled with ice age animals more than 12,000 years ago, including car-sized ground sloths, elephantine herbivores, and...

Poseidon Temple in Greece Larger than Previously Assumed

27 January 2024

27 January 2024

New excavations at Kleidi-Samikon in Greece’s Western Peloponnese show that the temple, discovered in 2022, is more monumental than previously...

A still life fresco discovered in new excavations of Pompeii Regio IX

28 June 2023

28 June 2023

Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Pompeii have uncovered a gorgeous still-life fresco depicting a platter covered in food and...

In the excavations at Tepecik Mound in Aydın, Türkiye, a palace-like structure dating back to the 13th century BCE was discovered

13 August 2023

13 August 2023

Excavations at Tepecik Mound in the Çine district of Aydın province, located in the western part of Turkey, revealed a...

2,600-year-old Terracotta Pipeline found in India

11 August 2024

11 August 2024

During the 10th phase of archaeological excavations at the Keeladi archaeological site in Tamil Nadu, India, archaeologists uncovered a terracotta...

An ancient Roman road has been discovered in the Venice Lagoon

24 July 2021

24 July 2021

Researchers discovered a Roman road submerged in the Venice Lagoon. The finding suggests that substantial communities may have existed in...

“Land of the Thousand Temples” Kancheepuram in India

20 May 2021

20 May 2021

Kancheepuram, one of the most sacred and religious Hindu pilgrim centers in India is also called the ‘Land of the...

An artificial intelligence “Ithaca” that will improve our understanding of ancient history

11 March 2022

11 March 2022

A deep neural network trained to restore ancient Greek texts can do so with 72% accuracy when used by historians,...

5,500-year-old Menhir discovered in Portugal

28 August 2023

28 August 2023

A 5,500-year-old (that is around 3500 BC) menhir has been discovered in the town of São Brás de Alportel in...

Mesopotamian bricks reveal the strength of Earth’s ancient magnetic field

19 December 2023

19 December 2023

Ancient Mesopotamian bricks reveal the details of a curious strengthening of the Earth’s magnetic field, according to a new study...

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Celebrates 151th Anniversary of Its Establishment

13 April 2021

13 April 2021

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the few museums in the world, celebrates the 151st anniversary of its establishment....

1,600-Year-Old Rare Greek Letter-Shaped Weights and Scale Found in Türkiye’s Uzuncaburç

9 July 2025

9 July 2025

Archaeologists have made a significant discovery at the ancient city of Uzuncaburç in Türkiye’s southern Mersin province — a complete...