Posted on 03/16/2025 5:12:58 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
When it emerged from the ground in 1853 at West Lodge, England, the so-called Colchester Vase was immediately deemed an important find due to its remarkable decorative relief depicting a gladiatorial battle, which dated the piece back to Roman Britain. It was also considered a cremation vessel, having been found containing human remains. But new studies have found that the jar was no ordinary grave object—it could represent the earliest form of sports memorabilia.
Conducted by researchers at the Colchester and Ipswich Museums, where the artifact is held, the latest tests reveal that the vase was crafted out of local clay around 160–200 A.D.
They also found that an inscription on the vessel, spelling the names of two gladiators featured in the frieze, was carved into the clay before the vase was fired, not afterward as previously thought. The engraving, then, was a fundamental part of the Colchester Vase's design and not added later.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.artnet.com ...
The Roman diet tended toward more fresh fruit and veggies, plus wine and olive oil. Urban Romans (other than the posh) often didn’t have kitchens. If they had a courtyard (even a shared one) they’d cook meats as well as onions and such outside. Hot food was also sold at take-out joints found throughout Roman cities.
Dunno regarding Tacitus’ meat army. Could have been the monotony of it, our could have been due to the impact on their, uh, eliminations.
Roman armies ate a lot of bread, and more meat (which was usually quite available) than most other Romans, often in stews, which like broths went well with bread.
I forgot to mention that Tacitus said that particular army ate meat at that time. It was a footnote by the publishers that said they preferred bread, so not actually Tacitus.
Cool!
I don’t doubt it, I couldn’t find it, but being a lazy sod, I didn’t look that hard (Annals, and one book of Agricola). :^)
It looks to be in great shape, as well.
Lol! Marketing… they get ya coming… and going.
It’s in remarkably good shape for being so old.
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