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“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius…” 

If these words from the Oscar-winning movie Gladiator stiffen the sinews and stir your blood, then you’ll love the new exhibition coming to Dorset Museum & Art Gallery in the New Year (January 2025).

A British Museum Partnership Exhibition with Colchester + Ipswich Museums, Gladiators of Britain will explore the often-overlooked history of gladiatorial contests in Roman Britain.

Starting at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery from January 2025, the exhibition will travel to four venues around the UK, following in the footsteps of the gladiators who fought in the amphitheatres of Britain.

From AD 43, Britain formed part of the vast Roman Empire for around 370 years, during which time the Romans not only introduced towns (including Durnovaria, or Dorchester today) roads, permanent military garrisons and centralised government but other important aspects of their culture. Not least, armed combat as a public spectacle.

After their withdrawal in the 5^th century, they left a rich archaeological legacy, including the Roman Town House in Dorchester and the Maumbury Rings – which were adapted nearly 2000 years ago from a Neolithic henge into a Roman amphitheatre – along with a wealth of artefacts.

Although there is no direct evidence gladiatorial games took place here, the ‘Rings’ have captured the popular imagination for centuries. Dorchester author Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) used it for a scene in his novel The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886) describing the “excavated cells for the reception of the wild animals and athletes who took part in the games.”

While Dorchester’s own arena is far from the grandeur of Rome’s Colosseum, it provides a tangible link to one of the most enduring features of life under Roman rule, that still captures the public imagination today.

Gladiators of Britain will explore what brutal spectacles would have entertained the people living in this era by bringing together some of the country’s most iconic and important objects to tell the story of the venues and the people who died to the roar of the crowd.

The objects in the exhibition provide compelling stories and glimpses into a past that compellingly reveals the arena’s violent nature and the importance of spectacle within Roman culture. One highlight is the Colchester Vase, which recent research has revealed records an actual battle between two real gladiators in Colchester: Memnon, a secutor, and his retiarius opponent, Valentinus.

Likewise, the Hawkedon Helmet is the only confirmed piece of gladiatorial armour from Roman Britain. Possibly plundered from Colchester (Camulodunum) during Boudica’s rebellion of AD 60, it is rare evidence for gladiators performing in the province.

These iconic loans will be supported by an array of other objects that reveal the popularity of gladiators, permeating through the material culture of everyday life.

Gladiators of Britain will be on display at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, Dorchester (25 January – 11 May 2025), Northampton Museum & Art Gallery (24 May – 7 September 2025), Grosvenor Museum, Chester (20 September – 25 January 2026) and Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, Carlisle (7 February – 19 April 2026).

Claire Dixon, Executive Director of Dorset Museum says: “We are very excited to be working with the British Museum on this brand-new exhibition.  Visitors will be able to explore the rarely told story of gladiators in Britain and we will be showcasing our own collections that include Roman archaeology, mosaics and stories from across the County.  A programme of walks, talks and collection tours will bring people closer to the places and artefacts that bring this part of our history to life and other cultural events will provide a fun and engaging way to connect with the exhibition – our Gladiator film night, held in the Victorian Hall where audiences will be sitting on a Roman Mosaic, is a must!  As the first venue to host this exhibition, we look forward to welcoming visitors from Dorset and beyond.”

Thorsten Opper, Curator: Roman Collections at the British Museum, said: “While gladiators have always captured the public imagination, their presence in Britain has been less widely understood. New research has now proven that the spectacles of Rome’s Colosseum were experienced as far away as Colchester. But who were these enslaved fighters, and how did they come to be in Britain? We are now able to start answering these questions and it is fascinating to see how each venue brings these stories to life.”

Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, said: “We are delighted to announce this major tour with our partners around the UK. Following on from the British Museum’s popular Legion exhibition, which looked at the lives of soldiers in the Roman army, Gladiators of Britain will again reveal the humans behind the helmets. It’s fantastic that so many people around the UK will have the chance to see this unmissable exhibition in their local region.”

Cllr Natalie Sommers, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Heritage and Public Protection at Colchester City Council said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with the British Museum to bring Gladiators of Britain to venues next year. This exhibition sets the record straight about the lives of gladiators in Britain and how gladiatorial combat and entertainment took place in Britain nearly 2,000 years ago. Visitors are in for both a visual and intellectual feast. Our country has a rich heritage, and this exhibition delves deeper into the spectacle of the games and all that surrounds it.” 

Banner Image | Ceramic cremation vessel decorated with a gladiator fight between a secutor and retiarius, Colchester, 2nd century AD.
© Colchester and Ipswich