Gladiators were a defining aspect of Roman culture which has since captured the imagination of film makers and writers, using the epic battle scenes and displays of heroism in the face of great danger as one of the best representations of the Roman era.
In reality these brave men who fought were often socially marginalized, forced into the profession as slaves, criminals, or free men desperate to earn a living. Their existence was precarious and they fought to survive in a society that had already condemned them to a grisly fate.
The gladiatorial games would last for many centuries, rising in popularity as a spectator’s sport, whilst the value of a gladiator’s life was determined by their entertainment value.
Such a spectacle required a suitable venue in which to host such a dramatic event, leading to the construction of amphitheatres, perhaps most famously the Colosseum in Rome.
Across the Roman world, as settlements were established and military garrisons fortified, amphitheatres became a ubiquitous sight, representing an important part of Roman social life and culture. Today, these remains exist across many countries, including the UK.
As one of the most recognisable forms of Roman architecture, the amphitheatre was a powerful structure which served a variety of functions, ranging from an entertainment venue to a setting for executions and political events.
With around 230 amphitheatres remaining across the former territories occupied by the Roman Empire, the structures themselves have survived in varying conditions and across a range of locations.
Amphitheatre structures can be found up and down the British Isles, offering a unique insight into the Roman culture which once dominated most of Europe.
Some of the events which would have taken place included gladiatorial combat, a favourite Roman pastime as well as chariot races, animal slaying, bear fights, re-enactment of battles and the other particular favourite of the Roman spectator, public executions.
First and foremost, the amphitheatre was a performance venue, an essential part of Roman social life and a public space for cultural activities.
In Britain today, a handful of Roman amphitheatre remains survive.
One of those which is best preserved and largest in scale is the amphitheatre located in the historic city of Chester.
Founded in AD 79 as a Roman fort during the reign of Vespasian, the city was known as Deva Victrix and became the host for one of the main Roman army camps and thus in time transformed into a major settlement.
The fortress was significantly larger than others in the British Isles, including York and London. As part of this significant development, an amphitheatre was constructed in the 1st century, built to accommodate almost 10,000 people, making it the largest of its kind in Britain. Today it remains one of the best-preserved in the country and reveals the scale and complex tunnel system which would have existed under the arena.
When the Romans eventually retreated from Britain, the fortress was abandoned by the army and occupied instead by Romano-British civilians who settled in the area.
Many of the amphitheatres were associated with military fortresses such as the one in Caerleon known as Isca Augusta. Much like Chester, the military base in the area necessitated the construction of the amphitheatre which was used for entertainment purposes as well as for training the troops.
Located on the outskirts of the Welsh city of Newport, Isca Augusta was a Roman settlement which had a legionary fortress and an amphitheatre which was thought to be constructed around AD 90 and subsequently renovated later in the 2nd century. Containing eight separate entrances, the stadium would have been able to accommodate up to 6000 spectators who would have been entertained by events such as gladiatorial combat.
These type of events were common in venues across the Roman world.
The passion for gladiatorial combat amongst Romans was also reflected in the ceramics, paintings, mosaics, reliefs and jewellery which was produced during this time, reflecting how the spectacle was more than just entertainment, it was an inherent part of Roman culture.
At the excavated site known as Bignor Roman Villa in West Sussex, the mosaic displays uncovered depict cupids as gladiators.
Archaeologists have also since uncovered more evidence about the presence of gladiators in Roman Britain due to discoveries such as the Colchester Vase.
The city not long after the Roman conquest of Britain in AD 43 had become the capital known as Camulodunum.
The artefact which was found in a Roman burial site in Colchester is a nine inch pot made from locally sourced clay and made around AD 160.
The scene depicted on the vessel shows a duel between two gladiators as well as animal hunts, two scenes which would have been on show in the Roman amphitheatre.
It also contains the details of two gladiators whose names were inscribed into the clay, Memnon and Valentinus.
The vase as well as various other artefacts and the presence of amphitheatres indicate that Roman era gladiators were present in the British Isles, entertaining crowds with their combat and fighting skills.
In London, known to Romans as Londinium, the first Roman amphitheatre, a wooden construction was built in AD 70 but later replaced by a more modern walled building in the 2nd century, able to accommodate thousands of eager spectators.
Discovered in 1998 during the Guildhall gallery expansion, the Roman amphitheatre remains uncovered, shed light on the various activities the site was used for including animal fighting, gladiatorial games, religious festivities and even executions.
Records of arenas being use for animal fights in London was common and most likely featured on the social calendar of its citizens.
Such sites would remain in use until around the fourth century when the Romans left Britain and the amphitheatre fell into a state of disrepair, laying derelict for many hundreds of years.
The amphitheatres of Britain remain an important aspect of understanding the unique Romano-British culture which emerged during the centuries of their domination. The amphitheatres and the people which frequented them, both as gladiators and spectators were part of a rich and vibrant tapestry of Roman culture which dominated not only Britain but Europe and further afield.
Jessica Brain is a freelance writer specialising in history. Based in Kent and a lover of all things historical.
Published: 15th July 2024.
*British Museum touring exhibition
Gladiators of Britain- 25 January 2025 – 19 April 2026
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
25 January – 11 May 2025
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
24 May – 7 September 2025
Grosvenor Museum (Chester)
20 September 2025 – 25 January 2026
Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, Carlisle
7 February – 19 April 2026