“Uncovering Secrets: The Colchester Vase’s Mysterious Connection to Blood-Soaked Gladiator Legends”
However, in the case of the Colchester Vase, new analysis suggests that it was produced locally as opposed to being imported from Rome. For one, Roman Colchester (then called Camulodunum) was known for being a center of pottery production, making it likely that the vase was crafted there.
This raised the question of whether the vase was merely a generic artistic representation of a hypothetical gladiator battle, or if it had a deeper connection to real-life local events and figures — a question that recent research has now begun to answer.
New Analysis Of The Vase Uncovers Evidence Of Gladiator Games In Roman Britannia
Inscriptions on the rim of the Colchester Vase spell out various gladiators’ names.
In a study now published in the journal Britannia, researchers Glynn J.C. Davis and John Pearce found that the Colchester Vase was more than just a decorative piece – instead, it was a representation of a specific gladiator match that occurred in the town.
The research team discovered that the vase was inscribed with the several names featured on it before going into the kiln, not after — meaning that it was likely commissioned by someone who wanted to commemorate a real event, rather than a myth or legend.
“The text was part of the vessel’s conceptualization from the start and relates directly to the scene portrayed, relieving doubts that it might be a later addition to a generic arena representation,” the study’s authors wrote.
Meanwhile, isotopic analysis of the cremated remains found that they belonged to a 40-year-old man of non-British origin. Pieces of hip bone revealed that he struggled with osteoarthritis and various hip injuries, likely a result of intense and prolonged physical activity. While researchers do not believe he was a gladiator, it is possible that he was a trainer or game organizer who commissioned the vase to celebrate his career and accomplishments.
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