This unique conference will range across all aspects of study of Roman Amphitheatres and the spectacula that took place in them. The event offers specialists and non-specialists alike an unrivalled opportunity to access the very latest research and thinking from many different perspectives.
The conference will discuss the discovery of new amphitheatre sites, and recent excavation and survey work, aspects of the architecture and planning of the buildings, amphitheatres both at the frontier periphery and at the centre of the Empire; from Northern Europe through Spain, the east, and North Africa. It will examine functional, religious and social aspects of the buildings and the spectacles, aspects of the organization of the spectacles, and gladiatorial death and burial. The problems encountered in the preservation and display of amphitheatres as monuments in the modern urban environment will be touched upon. The Conference will feature speakers from the USA, Canada, Brazil, Austria, Germany, Spain and the UK, and will start with a keynote public lecture given by Professor Kathleen Coleman of Harvard University – ‘The Arena of conflict: facts, myths and speculation about gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome.’
In addition to the stimulating and diverse programme of speakers, there will be an opportunity to visit the amphitheatre and other remains of Roman Chester, and a Conference Dinner featuring gladiatorial entertainment.
It is hoped that through formal and informal discussions new perspectives on the amphitheatre will indeed emerge to inform debate, research and perhaps similar gatherings in the future.
Roman Amphitheatres and spectacula – A 21st Century Perspective will take place in Chester, England on 16-18 February 2007. We would be delighted to see you there. So don’t miss out! Please complete and return the attached booking form – the Early Bird discount is available until Friday 5th January – and return it to the Conference office address.
For all enquiries and booking details please have a look at our website, www.emmm.co.uk/amphitheatre, or contact Lisa at Event Management & Marketing Matters, Southdene House, 16 Booths Hill Road, Lymm, Cheshire WA13 0DL
Email lisa@emmm.co.uk or amphitheatre@emmm.co.uk Tel: 01925 752078 Fax: 01925 758255
This programme is subject to change
19.00: Prof Kathleen Coleman, (Harvard College Professor and Professor of Latin, Harvard University)
Arena of conflict: facts myths, and speculation about gladiatorial in ancient Rome
09.00: Welcome and Introduction, T. Wilmott (English Heritage)
09:10: D. Garner (Chester City Council), T. Wilmott (English Heritage)
The Chester Amphitheatre
09.40: Z. Velickov (Bulgaria)
The amphitheatre and theatre of Serdika (Sofia)
10:10: R. Duran, A. Morillo Cerdan (Universidad de León)
Recent work on Spanish Amphitheatres
10.40: Coffee
11.10: C.S. Sommer (Bayerisches Lansdesamt für Denkmalpflege)
Amphitheatres of auxiliary forts on the frontiers
11.40: S Jilek (Österreichisches Akademie der Wissenschaften)
The amphitheatres of Carnuntum
12:10: Morning discussion
12.30: LUNCH
14.00:Professor Mary Beard (University of Cambridge)
Title to be confirmed
14:30: T. Hufschmid (Bauhutte Romisches Theater von Augst)
Theatre and Amphitheatre in Augst
15:00: T. Jones (McMaster University, Canada)
Roman Seating Regulations in the Western Empire
15:30: Speaker to be confirmed
16.00: Coffee
16.30: N. Bateman (Museum of London)
Diana, Nemesis, and the amphitheatre as ritualised space
17.00: Afternoon and day discussion
17.30: Close
19.30: Conference Dinner – The Bacchus Room, Queen Hotel, Chester.
Gladiatorial entertainment provided by Roman Tours
09.00: D. Bomgardner (Elstree School)
A Day in the Life of a North African amphitheatre
9:30: R. Lafer (University of Klagenfurt, Austria)
What can the inscriptions tell us about spectacles? The example of Africa proconsularis
10:00: Renata Senna Garrifoni (Parana Federal University, Brazil) & Pedro Paulo Funari (Campinas State University, Brazil)
Reading Pompei’s Walls: A Social Archaeological Approach to Gladiatorial Graffiti
10:30: Coffee
11.00: Speaker to be confirmed
11.30: F. Kanz (Österreichisches Archäologisches Institut)
Dying in the Arena. The Osseous Evidence from Ephesian Gladiators
12:00: Closing discussion
12.30: LUNCH
14.00: Tour of Chester Amphitheatre