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The Gladiators of Britain exhibition at the British Museum showcases some of the UK’s most important objects revealing the violence of the gladiator arena, and the significance of the spectacle within Roman culture. A highlight of the exhibition is the Colchester Vase which records an actual battle between two real gladiators.

John Pearce, Reader in Archaeology at King’s Department of Classics and King’s alumnus Glynn Davis, UCL, Institute of Archaeology co-lead new research on the vase found in Colchester, Essex.

The locally made colour-coated ware vessel known as the Colchester Vase is argued to be a commissioned piece recording a performance in the town. The inscription on the vessel, cut pre-firing, names individual arena performer. One name, Memnon, is argued to be a ‘stage name’ taken from a protagonist in the Trojan war. The connection of another fighter, Valentinus, to the 30th legion has been re-considered as evidence for gladiators linked to the Roman army. The Vase's final use was found to be a cremation urn. Researchers used osteological and isotopic analysis to reveal the cremated remains to be a non-local male of 40+ years; unlikely to be one of the performers, although he may have been closely connected to the event.

Visitors are welcomed to view the vase and other objects at the British Museum exhibition that will be open until 19 April 2026.

Dr John Pearce will give a lecture about these finding at the Dorchester museum in April.