Fig. 225.
That very remarkable monument of the ceramic art in Roman Britain, known as the “Colchester vase,” was found in 1853, in the Roman cemetery which occupied the site of West Lodge, near Colchester. It had been used as a sepulchral urn, and when found contained calcined bones, and was covered with an inverted shallow vessel or dish. “The ornamentations consist of three groups, one of which is the flight of stags and hares pursued by a dog, given in our cut ([fig. 225]). The second and, perhaps we may say, the principal group represents, in perfectly correct drawings, the combat of the two classes of gladiators, a Secutor and a Retiarius, the latter of whom, vanquished, has dropped his trident, and raises his hand to implore the mercy of the spectators. The Secutor, with a close helmet over his head, and a short sword in his hand, advances to strike the fatal blow, unless arrested by the success of his adversary’s appeal. Over the head of the Retiarius is the inscription, VALENTINV LEGIONIS XXX., meaning clearly, “Valentinus, of the thirtieth legion,” which was doubtless the name of the individual here represented. A similar inscription over the head of the Secutor is read without difficulty—MEMN.N.SAC.VIIII., which is explained by Mr. Roach Smith, who considers the A in SAC as an error for E, as standing for Memnius (or Memnon) numeri secutorum victor ter; i.e., “Memnius, or Memnon, of the number (or band) of secutors, conqueror thrice.” There is no reason for supposing that this inscription has any reference to the individual whose remains were buried in the vase, but it has probably reference to some remarkable gladiatorial combat which had created a sensation in Roman Britain, like some one of the celebrated boxing matches of modern times; sufficiently so to have become a popular subject of pictorial representation.[42]
“The third group on the Colchester vase also represents a performance which was very popular among the Romans and among Saxons, and, indeed, throughout the Middle Ages, that of a bear-tamer and disciplined bear. The bear, in this case, appears inclined to be rebellious, and his keeper, whose left arm bears what appears to be a shield, and his legs and right arm protected by bands or thongs, is menacing the animal with a whip. An assistant is approaching, with what appear to be two staves in his hands, for the purpose also of intimidating the ferocious animal. Over the head of the man holding the whip are the letters SECVNDVS MARIO, the intended application of which is not very clear.”[43]
On another vase in the British Museum, the figures represent a chariot-race in the Roman racecourse or stadium.
Fig. 226.
Fig. 227.
