Chester
Nub News Logo
Nub News

A British Museum Partnership Exhibition: Gladiators of Britain

Where

Grosvenor Museum, Chester

What

Culture

When

20 Sep 2025 - 25 Jan 2026

UNTIL Sunday 25 January

A British Museum Partnership Exhibition: Gladiators of Britain

Step into the arena where gladiators once fought and died to thunderous crowds. This major touring exhibition from the British Museum, in partnership with Colchester and Ipswich Museums, brings together rare Roman artefacts that reveal the brutal spectacle of gladiatorial combat in ancient Britain – including extraordinary finds from Chester's own amphitheatre, the largest in the country.

Discover the altar dedicated to Nemesis, goddess of fate, erected by a Roman centurion after a mysterious vision. Witness ancient battles through a Samian bowl depicting gladiators in combat, found in the very arena where such battles took place. Read the graffiti of "Serano Locus" – a Roman spectator's claim to his favourite seat, carved into stone nearly 2,000 years ago. These aren't just museum pieces; they're intimate glimpses into the lives of real people who witnessed the blood and spectacle that defined Roman entertainment.

From the enslaved fighters who became unlikely celebrities to the vendors selling food to eager crowds, Gladiators of Britain reveals the human stories behind the helmets. Walk in the footsteps of gladiators, spectators and citizens who made Chester's amphitheatre come alive with the roar of the crowd and clash of steel.

Supported by the Dorset Foundation in memory of Harry M Weinrebe. Supported at the Grosvenor Museum by Avanti West Coast and Visit Cheshire.

Subscribe to our weekly What's On Newsletter for Free

Share:

Related Events

OKTOBERFEST

Wednesday 1 October

OKTOBERFEST

Where

The Deva Tap, 121 Brook Street Chester.

What

Food

When

19 Sep 2025 - 5 Oct 2025

Pizza Wednesday

Wednesday 1 October

Pizza Wednesday

Where

The Deva Tap, 121 Brook Street Chester.

What

Food

When

1 Oct 2025

Sign-up for our FREE newsletter...

We want to provide chester with more and more clickbait-free news.

     

...or become a Supporter.
Chester. Your City. Your News.

Local news is essential for our community — but it needs your support.
Your donation makes a real difference.
For monthly donators:
Ad-free experience