Secrets Revealed from 1,800-Year-Old Vessel – A Depiction of a Real Ancient Battle

Camulodunum in antiquity was the settlement located at the site of modern-day Colchester in Essex, England. Recognized by Roman sources as Britain’s oldest city, it was originally a Celtic settlement before the Roman conquest of the island, at which point it became the first Roman city. Eventually, it was transformed into a colony of retired soldiers, known as Colonia Claudia Victricensis.

Archaeological evidence suggests that the settlement dates back over 3,000 years. Its Celtic name, Camulodunum, means “the Fortress of Camulos” (Camulos was a British god, corresponding to the Roman god Mars).

A Reevaluation of the Vessel That Changes Our Understanding

A 19th-century archaeological find, known as the Colchester Vessel, has recently undergone a reevaluation that may alter our understanding of gladiatorial spectacles in Roman Britain. This ceramic object, dating from between 160 and 200 AD, is considered a unique visual and inscribed record that refers to gladiatorial games in the Roman city of Camulodunum, the present-day Colchester.

The research, led by Glynn J.C. Davis and John Pearce, and supported by various specialists in archaeology, epigraphy, and isotopic analysis, suggests that the Colchester Vessel was not only a decorative piece but also featured a unique depiction of a real battle that took place in the city.

The inscription, completed before the vessel was fired, includes the names of the gladiators depicted in the relief, indicating that they were real individuals and not merely symbolic characters.

A Gladiator with a Notable Career

One of the names that caught the researchers' attention is Memnon, identified as a secutor – a type of gladiator specialized in fighting against retiarii, who were armed with a net and trident.

The name Memnon, of Greek origin, is associated with the mythical Ethiopian king of the Trojan War, suggesting it might have been an artistic name—a common practice in the world of gladiators.

The inscription also reveals that Memnon had participated in at least nine battles, pointing to a distinguished career in Roman entertainment.

Another significant name found in the inscription is Valentinus, associated with the XXX Ulpia Victrix legion, which was stationed in the city of Xanten, in present-day Germany.

This find suggests a link between the gladiators and the Roman army—a relationship that remains a topic of debate among historians, as some have posited that some legions may have maintained their own gladiatorial units. The fact that Valentinus’s name does not appear in any of the battles depicted in the inscription might indicate that he was a rookie gladiator participating in his first match.

The Colchester Vessel

The Colchester Vessel was discovered in 1853 in a mound in the western part of the city, where it had been used as an urn for cremated remains. Inside, archaeologists found the remains of a man over 40 years old, who was not from the local area, as identified through isotopic analysis of strontium conducted at Durham University.

While it’s unlikely that these remains belonged to one of the gladiators mentioned in the inscription, researchers speculate they could belong to one of the sponsors of the games, perhaps a gladiator trainer or organizer of the contests.

The study of the bones revealed signs of osteoarthritis and hip trauma, which might indicate a life of intense physical exertion. The method of cremation provides further insight into Roman burial practices in Britain, suggesting that the cremation was carried out by professionals, rather than by the deceased's family.

The Colchester Vessel adds to a growing collection of finds that testify to the presence of Roman spectacles in the city, such as fragments of frescoes depicting gladiators, molds of relief figures, and a knife handle resembling that of a murmillo gladiator.

Although no amphitheater has been discovered in Colchester, the presence of the Roman circus—the only known one in Britain—supports the theory that the city was a center of public entertainment, where chariot races and gladiatorial contests were part of daily life.

Commercial and military connections between Colchester and the Lower Rhine may have facilitated the transportation of gladiators and animals for these spectacles.

Documents with inscriptions found in the German region suggest that captives for wild animal battles (venationes), which often ended in their death, could explain the hunting scenes depicted on the Colchester Vessel.