A range of themed events will mark the arrival of a new gladiators exhibition at the Grosvenor Museum this weekend.

'Gladiators of Britain', a British Museum Partnership Exhibition, reveals the hidden tales of gladiators who fought and died in Britain.

The exhibition will travel to a total of just four venues around the UK this year, bringing together some of the country's most important objects from the period.

It will look at the history of gladiatorial fights in Britain, who gladiators were and the importance of spectacle in Roman culture.

It can be seen at the Grosvenor Museum from 20 September 2025 until the new year.

Cheshire West and Chester Council's libraries service and West Cheshire Museums have teamed up to arrange gladiator-themed events, ahead of the exhibition's start date.

Sunday Times best-selling author Ben Kane will host two events where he will discuss gladiators and his work on Spartacus.

Ben is the best-selling writer of several series on the Romans including Forgotten Legion, Hannibal: Enemy of Rome (which charted on the Sunday Times best sellers list), Spartacus (The Gladiator and Rebellion), Eagles of Rome and Clash of Empires.

He will be at the Grosvenor Museum on Wednesday 15 October at 7pm and at Northwich Library at Weaver Hall Museum on Thursday 16 October at 7pm. Tickets are just £5 each.

More details and how to book can be found at Cheshire West and Chester Council Libraries event tickets from TicketSource..

A special travelling display of Roman artefacts will also be travelling around the borough's libraries. Items include a Roman flagon, roof tiles, bowl, amphora neck and a statuette of Venus.

The display is at Ellesmere Port Library until Monday 29 September, Northwich Library in October, Hope Farm Library in November and December, plus Frodsham and Neston Library in January.

There are also two free competitions, with entry forms available at all libraries.

The first is a quiz for adults and ends on Tuesday 30 September, with the prize of two signed books from Ben Kane and free entry to his two talks.

The second ends on Monday 3 November, and is for children and invites them to design a gladiator, with the prize being a £20 gift voucher.

Find out more about Cheshire West and Chester Council libraries.