What to expect at Gladiators of Britain?
“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.
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 5th 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.
Gladiators of Britain will be on display at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, Dorchester (25 January – 11 May 2025).
When is Gladiators of Britain?
Gladiators of Britain will be on display at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, Dorchester from 25 January – 11 May 2025.
How to get to Dorset Museum & Art Gallery?
The closest GWR Station is Dorchester West. The Dorset Museum & Art Gallery is just under 15 minutes walk from the station.