Name/Title
Samian Ware BowlEntry/Object ID
L.2021.98Description
Fragment of a bowl of Samian ware, ornamented with a cruciform ornament, two gladiators and a lion attacking bestarius, from the Roman site at Newstead. 7 parts reconstructed.Use
Used to serve food or eat out of.Context
According James Curle's publication on the excavation at Newstead, this bowl fragment belongs to the Flavian Period and was found in the ditch of the early fort at Newstead.Collection
National Museums ScotlandCategory
Samian ware
Food Preparation & Storage
Acquisition
Accession
X.FRA 1257Source or Donor
National Museums ScotlandAcquisition Method
LoanSource (if not Accessioned)
National Museums ScotlandNotes
LoanMade/Created
Time Period
1st - 2nd centuryLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
PotteryNomenclature Primary Object Term
FactoryNomenclature Sub-Class
Industrial StructuresNomenclature Class
StructuresNomenclature Category
Category 01: Built Environment ObjectsOther Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Previous Accession NumberOther Number
V.15.18Provenance
Provenance Detail
From the Roman Site at NewsteadExhibition
Permanent ExhibitionInterpretative Labels
Label Type
Exhibition CaptionLabel
These bowl pieces show one gladiator victorious over another. Trimontium had an amphitheatre, the most northerly yet identified in the Empire. It is possible that gladiators would have fought here to entertain the troops. It may also have been used for military displays, the execution of prisoners and holding wild animal fights.Research Notes
Research Type
ResearcherPerson
Rachel CartwrightDate
2/16/2023Notes
According James Curle's publication on the excavation at Newstead, this bowl fragment belongs to the Flavian Period and was found in the ditch of the early fort at Newstead. His description of the fragment is as follows: "Fragment of a bowl (Dragendorff 37). Egg and tassel moulding. The surface divided into panels: (1) Portion of the cruciform ornament common at this period. (2) Two gladiators in combat. A Samnite or secutor on the left. He wears a large plumed helmet; bands of leather protect his thighs; he carries an oblong shield and a short sword. A Thrax opposes him with smaller shield and short curved blade, the sica. (3) The cruciform ornament is repeated. (4) Incomplete, a lion attacking a bestiarius; above the lion, a tendril ending in a pointed leaf; beneath it, a bunch of herbage." (Curle, 1911: 206-7)
