Dr John Pearce – The Gladiatorial World – Beastly Combat and Arena Insights
Dr Pearce will reveal the reality of gladiatorial spectacles using recent research, new discoveries and older finds that show the uncomfortable reality of death and mutilation faced in the Roman arena.

John will focus on the discovery of the ‘lion in the north’ deduced from skeletal remains found at York. What spectacles did the lion appear in? How was it transported from North Africa to England in the 3rd century AD? Alongside this, John will also look at local evidence for gladiatorial spectacles, including the painted gladiator cups found near Vindolanda and Silloth.

Dr John Reid – Bloodlust: Trimontium’s Amphitheatre in Context
John will explore the connection between amphitheatres and the Roman Army and ask what sort of spectacles might have been put on at Trimontium, in one of the Empire’s smallest venues. He will also ask if Carlisle was likely to have had its own amphitheatre and if so where might we look for it and what sort of evidence should we be seeking.

Ticket includes both talks and access to our Roman exhibitions.

Dr John Pearce’s talk begins at 1.15pm and Dr John Reid’s talk begins at 2.45pm. There will be a 20-minute break between the two talks.