To The Roar Of The Crowd - a new exhibition that explores the depiction of popular Roman spectator sports on everyday objects - opens at Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend, this Saturday, April 8.
Gladiator fights and chariot-races are well-known aspects of Roman civilisation that still appeal to the public imagination today. They were popular spectator sports and, like big sporting events nowadays, involved large crowds, passionate supporters and prize money for the successful.
Scenes from fights or racing were commonly used as decoration around Roman houses on mosaics and wall-paintings - as well as designs on bowls, drinking glasses, knife-handles, lamps, and jewellery such as signet rings and brooches. The exhibition To The Roar Of The Crowd looks at some of the items that were in everyday use, and what they can tell us about the world of the games.
