H E R O E S O F T H E C O L O S S E U M

23 JUNE 2017 – 28 JANUARY 2018 | AUSTRALIAN EXCLUSIVE

QUEENSLAND MUSEUM

MEDIA KITPRESENTING PARTNER MEDIA PARTNERS

Message from the Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth GamesThe Hon Kate Jones MP

Welcome to Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum, one of Queensland’s many great cultural event experiences.

Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum is an exclusive international exhibition travelling to Queensland that will feature more than 100 artefacts and interactive experiences.

The Palaszczuk Government proudly supports this event through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar, inspiring more visitors to experience the best address on earth.

International exhibitions like these are vital to Queensland’s tourism prosperity, engaging visitors with the locals and the community, and creating memorable experiences.

I encourage you to take some time to explore the diverse arts and cultural experiences on offer here in Brisbane.

The Hon Kate Jones MP

Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games

GLADIATORS: HEROES OF THE COLOSSEUMMore than one thousand years ago, Rome grew from an unknown village on the banks of the Tiber River to become one of the largest empires in the ancient world.

Gladiators, armed athletes of Rome, came to embody the ideals of this ancient empire. Gladiatorial fights were not seen as cruel entertainment or senseless slaughter of person and beast. Rather, the gladiators demonstrated to the Roman people how death should be met: courageously, fiercely and with stoic endurance of fear and pain.

The first gladiators fought in open spaces in Roman cities. As the fights became more popular, they were held in temporary wooden arenas which developed into great stone buildings that dominated Roman city scapes. The greatest arena of all was the Colosseum in Rome; taking years to construct and seating up to 50,000 people, over 10,000 gladiators and animals fought and died in this wonder of the ancient world.

Pairing modern technologies with 2,000 year old artefacts, Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum is an immersive and interactive exhibition which will transport visitors of all ages back to the age of the gladiator.

Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum is an Australian exclusive exhibition created by Contemporanea Progetti and Expona at Queensland Museum and delivered in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland.

Exhibition SnapshotGladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum is an international touring exhibition that will only be appearing in Australia at Queensland Museum.

The exhibition features more than 110 artefacts, from a range of Italian museums and institutions, interactive games and displays to reveal who gladiators were, where they lived and how they trained.

Visitors can view archaeological treasures, including actual pieces of the Colosseum, elaborately decorated bronze gladiator helmets and original arms and armour preserved in the ashes of Pompeii.

Learn the story of these armed athletes who fought to entertain and inspire the people of Ancient Rome.

Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum will explore four themes: The Roman Empire, Rome and the Colosseum, Who are the Gladiators?, A Day at the Arena.

1. The Roman Empire The first theme explores the development of Rome from a village on seven hills to one of the powers of the ancient world — the Imperium Romanum — that would conquer and culturally shape large parts of the world as it was known at the time.

The Roman Empire was among the most powerful economic, cultural, political and military forces in the world of its time, and one of the largest empires in world history. At its height under Trajan, it covered 5 million square kilometres and ruled over an estimated 70 million people, at that time 21 percent of the world’s entire population.

Through conquests and wars, Rome’s sphere of control came to include the European and North African Mediterranean area. Thousands of prisoners of war were brought into the empire, most of who ended up as slaves or gladiators.

2. Rome and the Colosseum

The Colosseum is regarded as the most famous and greatest arena of antiquity. Considered by many as the eighth wonder of the world, the Colosseum is a symbol of the extraordinary world of gladiators and paramount expression of Roman engineering.

The Colosseum took 10 years to build and was officially opened in 80 AD. It was Rome’s first and only permanent and public amphitheatre and was constructed as part of a large scale building program started by the Emperor Vespasian. Construction required perfect planning, excellent organisation, inventiveness and at least 100,000 workers, many of whom were slaves.

The opening of the Colosseum was celebrated with 100 days of games, including gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights. During this time over 9,000 wild animals and 2,000 gladiators were slaughtered.

Explore the lives of the gladiators and the colossal stage upon which their fate was determined, the Colosseum. Theirs was a world of specialised training, discipline, regulation, and peril, but also of hope, of fame, redemption, and if they survived; wealth and freedom.

3. Who are the Gladiators?

Unearth the training techniques of these ancient athletes, learn how they prepared themselves for the battles ahead and the different gladiator fighting styles, armour and weapons used.

The first recorded gladiatorial fight was staged in 264AD by Marcus and Decimus Brutus to honour their father, Junius Brutus Pera, and was held at a local cattle market. Romans believed that human sacrifice at the dead person’s funeral would appease the Roman gods and ensure a satisfactory entrance into the afterlife.

Three pairs of slaves were chosen to fight at the funeral and as this was the funeral of a prominent aristocrat, the event was likely to have drawn a large crowd. So the beginning of gladiator history and combat started with a funeral.

Many of the gladiators were prisoners of war; healthy, robust captives sold into slavery and purchased by a Lanista (an owner or manager) of a gladiator Ludus (school). Others were criminals or slaves

condemned to the arena as punishment for their crimes.

There were nearly 30 different types of gladiator. Fighters were placed in classes based on their physique, ethnicity, skill level and experience, and then specialised in a particular fighting style and set of weaponry.

Gladiators were seen as valuable commodities and were well fed. Their diet consisted of meat or fish, bread, cereals and vegetables. Other types of food included barley, dry fruits, cheese, goat milk, eggs and olive oil. The gladiators drank only water.

For all the strict training undertaken by the gladiators they only fought a few times a year and a single bout probably lasted between 10–15 minutes, or 20 minutes at most.

Successful gladiators gained thousands of supporters, enjoyed lavish gifts, and could even be awarded freedom if they’d tallied up enough victories. However, as fights were usually to the death, gladiators had a short life expectancy.

4. A Day at the Arena Gladiator contests and hunting parties had their heyday in the first three centuries AD. These day-long total spectacles were organised by representatives of the state and financed by tax revenue.

Emperor Augustus seized upon gladiator games and animal hunts as a propaganda tool. They were a way of demonstrating his generosity. Augustus had more than a thousand gladiators ‘appear’ at each munus.

It was in this period that the spectacles acquired their definitive form. They lasted all day with animal fights in the morning, executions and comic intermezzos at midday, and gladiator duels in the afternoon.

The rules of gladiatorial combat were laid down in law. Each class of gladiator had his own distinctive armour and weapons. More and more amphitheatres were built for the spectacles. The largest was in Rome where the Colosseum opened its many gates in 80 AD.

Collection SnapshotGladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum separates facts from fiction and illustrates the fascinating world of the gladiators, the heroes of the ancient arenas.

The exhibition features significant loans from important Italian museums and institutions, many never displayed in Australia before.

Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum will feature objects from:

– Bologna, Museo Civico Archeologico

– Napoli, Museo Archeologico Nazionale

– Roma, Colosseo

– Roma, Museo Nazionale Romano

– Paestum, Museo Archeologico Nazionale

– Firenze, Museo Bardini.

Helmet of a thraex

(50–79 AD – Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples) This helmet belonged to a thraex, a gladiator armed like the Thracian warriors of south-eastern Europe.

Helmet of a provocator

(1 century AD - Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples) This helmet does not have a crest and was only worn by provocator gladiators, who were heavily armed and armoured.

Helmet of a secutor

(50–79 AD – Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples) The helmet was as smooth as possible without decorations, or protruding parts, to prevent the secutor (the pursuer) from becoming entangled in the net of the retiarius (the net fighter).

Gladiatorial Helmets

Helmet of a murmillo

(1 century AD - Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples) From the gladiator school, Pompeii Italy. Murmillo gladiators carried heavy equipment, including a broadsword and a large, rectangular shield. They were probably named after a kind of fish that sometimes decorated their helmets.

The Life of a Gladiator

Prizes for the victor – silver coins (2nd century AD - Museo Civico Archeologico, Bologna)

After a victory, a gladiator received a prize, the silver coins date to the time of the Emperor Commodus, who was passionate about the gladiatorial games and liked to perform in the arena himself.

Medical instruments – ear probe with spatula, specillum and probe with spatula (1st-4th century AD - Museo Civico Archeologico, Bologna)

Gladiators received the best medical care from experienced military physicians. The physicians, who also carried out surgery, had an extensive collection of instruments: hooks, forks, spatulas, spoons, probes, needles and scalpels.

Body care – Strigil (1st century AD - Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples)

Among the various instruments used for the care of the body was the strigil. This was a bronze or iron implement used by the Greeks and the Romans to clean the body.

Weapons of a Gladiator

Wall painting with gladiatorial weapons (1 century AD - Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples)

A wall painting depicting various weapons used by gladiators.

Trilobate spearhead (1 century AD - Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples)

A trilobate bronze spearhead which would have originally been attached to a wooden spear.

Spearhead of a bestiarius (1 century AD - Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples)

This bronze head of a wooden spear was probably used by bestiarii to chase wild animals, or kill them if they were injured.

Bronze spearhead (1 century AD - Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples)

In the 1st century AD, the wooden spear with a bronze head was the weapon of several classes of gladiator and could be 2–2.3 m long. It was used to attack an opponent without having to get close to them.

The Gladiator’s arena – The Colosseum

Fragment of Balustrade with marine snakes around a trident (3rd century AD – Colosseum, Rome)

A section of balustrade from the Colosseum decorated with two sea serpents twisted around the trident of the god Neptune.

Graffiti from the Colosseum – scene of Venatio (1st-5th century AD – Colosseum, Rome)

A piece of graffiti that an enthusiastic fan scratched his idol into the marble of this step in the spectators’ area.

Frieze with acanthus leaves (3rd century AD – Colosseum, Rome)

Acanthus was a popular motif in Roman times and the frieze was probably part of a barrier protecting the stairways and giving access to the cavea (auditorium).

Bear skull (4th-5th century AD – Colosseum, Rome)

The skull of a bear that died at the Colosseum. As well as human venatores, bears were also set against bulls in the arena and there are records of bears facing pythons and seals. Bears were also used to tear apart condemned criminals.

Building materials (1st-5th century AD – Colosseum, Rome)

See four types of stone that were used to construct the Colosseum: marble for the decorative parts; travertine from the nearby quarries in Tivoli for the walls; tuff (volcanic stone) from quarries in the nearby region of Latium; and fired clay bricks.

Celebrating Gladiators – Souvenirs

Galerus of a Retiarius (1 century AD - Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples)

Shoulder guard of a retiarius from the gladiator barracks of Pompeii. The decorative scheme consists of various marine motifs.

Bear-hunter (4th century AD - Museo Civico Archeologico, Bologna)

Bottom of a glass bowl containing an image made of engraved gold between two layers of glass showing a venator, who specialised in hunting bears with a lasso.

Lamps souvenirs (1st–2nd century AD - Museo Civico Archeologico, Bologna)

Lamps depicting scenes from the amphitheatre and lamps in the shape of gladiator helmets are known from all over the Roman Empire. For spectators of the games, they were a souvenir of an exciting day.

Statuette of a Murmillo (1 century AD - Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples)

A terracotta figure of a murmillo.

Meet the GladiatorsEach gladiator was trained to become a certain type of skilled fighter. Based on images, ancient texts and a few artefacts, it is possible to reconstruct more than 10 kinds of gladiator, each with their own typical equipment.

The most common gladiators seem to have been: the net fighter (retiarius); the pursuer (secutor); the challenger (provocator); the Thracian (thraex); and the murmillo, probably named after a kind of fish that was sometimes depicted on their helmets.

RETIARIUSThe retiarius was an opponent of the secutor. The retiarius fought almost naked, without a helmet and a shield, armed only with a pugio (dagger), net and trident. Only their arm and shoulder were somewhat protected. Becuase the retiarius had little protection but weapons that were easily manipulated, it made them formidable in the attack but vulnerable in a close fight. The retiarius was agile and fast and deployed against an opponent with heavy weapons, the secutor.

SECUTORThe secutor, the pursuer, was a gladiator that carried heavy armour. The secutor had an armour-cased arm and leg, a large shield and a massive helmet. The helmet was completely closed with extremely small eye slits that considerably limited their field of vision. The secutor was specially trained to fight a retiarius and had to seek victory in close combat, without getting entangled in the retiarius’ cast net or being gored by the trident.

MURMILLOThe murmillo was an opponent of the thraex. The heavyweight armour with distinctive helmet, broad sword and large shield was so heavily padded and cumbersome that they were hardly able to move. Each step took great effort. The murmillo was practically impenetrable from the front but their poor mobility provided excellent opportunities for attack from the thraex.

THRAEXThe thraex, whose name and equipment was inspired by the Romans’ former enemies, the Thracians, wore the usual loincloth and belt, and protected the right arm with a manica. The shield was smaller than their opponents, the murmillo, with longer greaves to protect the legs and thighs. Their weapon was a short sword (sica) with an angled blade. To defeat the thraex, the murmillo had to catch the thraex off their guard or attack them from behind.

PROVOCATORThe provocator’s specialty was rapid attacks aimed at unbalancing his adversary, usually another provocator. His equipment was very light; his shield was small and served not only as protection but also a weapon – a strong blow from the metal shield edge caused more than just bruising. They also wore a helmet, a manica (arm guard that held the pugio – a dagger) and a protection on the left leg. Unlike all other gladiators, the provocator was equipped with a breastplate (cardiophilax).

Dr Rossella ReaResponsible Officer for the Colosseum, Rome, and Curator of the exhibition Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum

Dr Rea was archaeologist at the Superintendence for the Colosseum, the Roman National Museum and the archaeological area of Rome (MIBACT) since 1985. In 2009 she was appointed Director of the Colosseum, responsible for the safeguard of the Imperial Forums. She has also been scientific director of the archaeological excavations on Line C of the Rome underground; writer of many scientific articles, exhibitions catalogues, curator of volumes and monographs; and curator of the exhibitions “Nerone”, “La biblioteca infinita” and of the itinerant exhibition in Europe, Canada and Australia “I gladiatori, eroi del Colosseo”. She edited volumes including “L’ipogeo di Trebio Giusto sulla via Latina”, “ La biblioteca infinita”, “Rota Colisei”, “Nerone”, “Cantieristica archeologica e opere pubbliche. La linea C della metropolitana di Roma”. In the 2015 she was honoured with the title of Correspondent Member DAI (German Archaeological Institute )

Professor Suzanne MillerCEO and Director of the Queensland Museum Network

Professor Suzanne Miller holds the joint appointments of Queensland Chief Scientist and CEO and Director of the Queensland Museum Network. In November 2016, Suzanne was named as Queensland Chief Scientist, responsible for the strategic oversight of science and research in the state. This role complements her position at Queensland Museum, which she commenced in July 2013, following six years as Director of the South Australian Museum.

Prior to these appointments, the Edinburgh native spent 12 years with National Museums Scotland, latterly as Keeper of Natural Sciences. Suzanne has previously held positions as Research Fellow at the Universities of Lancaster and Oxford, Lecturer in Earth Sciences at the University of Aberdeen and the Open University and as Geologist with the British Antarctic Survey. Professor Miller received her PhD from Imperial College and an Honorary Doctorate from Griffith University.

Professor Miller is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London, Fellow of the Mineralogical Society, Fellow of the Royal Society of South Australia, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Fellow of the Geological Society of Australia, and Fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences. Suzanne is an Honorary Professor at The University of Queensland, Deputy Chair and the Australian Representative on the Board of Scientific Collections International (an OECD Global Science Forum initiative), Chair of the Council of Australasian Museum Directors, and a member of the National Cultural Heritage Committee and the Queensland Advisory Committee for the Commemoration of the Anzac centenary.

Nicholas HadnuttCurator Archaeology, Queensland Museum

Nick started volunteering with the Cultures and Histories program 2007, becoming a fulltime Assistant Collection Manager in 2008 followed by Collection Manager in 2011. Nick successfully guided the Collection Management program through the following four years with key highlights including the successful management of multiple blockbuster international touring exhibitions as well as substantial exhibition renewal and redevelopment at Queensland Museum. In 2015, Nick was awarded the position of Curator, Archaeology and is currently engaged researching Queensland Museum’s substantial archaeology collections. Nick’s research interests include historical archaeology as well as museum collection development and access to museum collections.

Exhibition Spokespeople

Public ProgramsAFTER DARKGladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. With a vino in hand, enjoy expert talks, live music, visual delights and explore the life of the gladiator.

Dates: Friday nights: 23 June, 28 July, 1 September, 13 October, 3 November and 1 December 2017

Time: 5.30pm – 9pm

Tickets: Adult (18+ only) $24

For more information visit www.qm.qld.gov.au

PUBLIC TALKColosseum, Amphitheater of the Emperors. Curiosities and management of the most popular Gladiators Arena.

Join us for a free talk with Dr Rossella Rea, Responsible Officer of the Colosseum, Rome, and Curator of the exhibition Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum

Date: Saturday, 24 June 2017

Time: 11am & 1.30pm (please note: the same talk will be repeated at 1.30pm)

Tickets: Free, no booking required. Limited seats available.

This lecture will be in Italian with English interpretation.

School Holiday ProgramDuring the September and December/January school holidays there will be hands-on holiday programming including Gladiator school and Gladiator posing.

A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUMExplore the Museum as the sun goes down at our night time adventure for our smallest visitors, with a special gladiator theme.

Date: Friday nights: 7 July, 22 September and 27 October 2017

Time: 5pm – 8.30pm

Tickets: Adult $21, Children $15 or Family (2A+2C) $60

Tickets23 June 2017 – 28 January 2018

Adult . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18

Concession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16

Child (3-15 years) . . . . . . . . . . . . $12

Family (2A + 2Ch) . . . . . . . . . . . . $55

Adult Group 10+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16.50

Schools 10+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10

Season Passes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nil

Children under 3 free

Timed ticketingGladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum is a timed ticketed experience. Entry times commence at 9.40am daily, then at 20 minute intervals until 4pm. This is to manage the flow of visitors through the exhibition and avoid overcrowding.

AFTER DARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $24

A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

Adult . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21

Child (3-15 years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15

Family (2A + 2Ch) . . . . . . . . . . . . $60

Gladiators Shop Loved your gladiatorial experience at the Queensland Museum? Then a visit to the Gladiators Shop on Level 3 is a must for those wanting to take home a souvenir to remember their experience.

There is a range of gladiator themed giftware, books and trinkets, including a beautiful exhibition catalogue, featuring highlights from Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum.

Food and BeverageIt’s easy to work up an appetite when training to be a gladiator. To keep the hunger at bay stop by our cafe at Queensland Museum, near the Whale Mall, and explore the new menu fit for a warrior.

The Café caters for all ages and offers a range of healthy meals, sandwiches, snacks, coffee, drinks and various specials throughout the day.

Opening hours

Monday – Friday 7.30am – 5.00pm

Saturday – Sunday 9.30am – 5.00pm

The café is also available for venue hire and is a unique functions venue in the heart of Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct, just minutes from the CBD.

For any enquiries please contact (07) 3840 7730 or email events@qm.qld.gov.au

Please note: Food and beverages are not allowed inside the Museum exhibit halls or theatres

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Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum Catalogue $14.95

School ResourcesThere is a selection of downloadable resources for Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum to assist teachers plan their visit.

Teacher Preview OfferTeachers may preview the exhibition free of charge between 3pm-4pm, from 10-28 July 2017. Join us for a unique opportunity to assess ways this exhibition can best meet the needs of your students. Present your name, contact details and proof of current teacher registration at the exhibition entry on Level 3. Complimentary admission applies to teachers only, but this offer may accompany ticketed patrons. For more information and tickets visit www.qm.qld.gov.au/gladiators

Entry is at the discretion of staff, visitor numbers are managed at 20 minute intervals, so short delays may be anticipated during peak visitation.

School BookingsSchool bookings are available for schools and groups (10 or more) of children up to 15 years. A timed admission system manages movement through the exhibition to optimise your visit experience. Groups are invited to manage rotations by including a Museum ‘General Visit’, booking a school program or Sciencentre visit. Your selected museum experiences and admission times will be managed with a group visit itinerary provided by our Booking Office. For more information phone the Booking Office between 8.15am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday on 3840 7608.

WINWin the trip of a lifetimeTo celebrate Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum at Queensland Museum we are giving you the chance to win a trip of a lifetime to Italy.

To enter, simply visit Queensland Museum’s Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum exhibition and enter the draw via our iPad station outside the exhibition entry on level 3 to win a return trip for two people to Italy to visit the Colosseum.

Visit www.qm.qld.gov.au/gladiators for full terms and conditions.

Images for Media UseA selection of object images from the exhibition is available for media use, and additional images can be sourced on request.

Supplied photo credits must accompany publication.

CLICK HERE to access media images

Media EnquiriesChristine Robertson/Kylie Hay

christine.robertson@qm.qld.gov.au

kylie.hay@qm.qld.gov.au

(07) 3840 7789

0417 741 710

Heidi Jones

heidi.jones@qm.qld.gov.au

(07) 3842 9388

Social Media facebook.com/qldmuseum

Twitter: @qldmuseum

Instagram: qldmuseum

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www.qm.qld.gov.au/gladiators

Tickets23 June 2017 – 28 January 2018

Adult . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18

Concession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16

Child (3-15 years) . . . . . . . . . . . . $12

Family (2A + 2Ch) . . . . . . . . . . . . $55

Adult Group 10+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16.50

Schools 10+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10

Season Passes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nil

Children under 3 free

Timed ticketingGladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum is a timed ticketed experience. Entry times commence at 9.40am daily, then at 20 minute intervals until 4pm. This is to manage the flow of visitors through the exhibition and avoid overcrowding.

AFTER DARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $24

A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

Adult . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21

Child (3-15 years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15

Family (2A + 2Ch) . . . . . . . . . . . . $60