Deadly games in Roman Dorchester? Gladiator shows and beastly spectacles in Britannia

Deadly games in Roman Dorchester? Gladiator shows and beastly spectacles in Britannia

Join Dr John Pearce for a talk that explores the reality of gladiatorial spectacles and reveals the grim truths behind these celebrated events at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery on Thursday 24 April, 6:00pm – 7:00pm.

This talk will explore recent research by Dr John Pearce and others on new discoveries and older finds, including objects, images and skeletal remains. This allows us to see not only the uncomfortable reality of death and mutilation in arenas like those of Dorchester. The same evidence also illuminates the networks which brought star performers, human and animal, to Britannia from the furthest corners of the empire, and reveals the fan culture which sustained the holding of spectacles in its cities and garrisons.