For this summer it is even easier to get involved in the Amphitheatre project. There are loads of events scheduled throughout the summer, from lectures to gladiatorial fights, there's bound to be something to fill your amphitheatre needs!
9 June – 4 September at the Grosvenor Museum, Exhibition Gallery Two
Julia Midgley was Artist in Residence during the 2004 archaeological excavation at the Chester Roman Amphitheatre. Her drawings feature every aspect of the project from site preparation to briefings, from excavation work to the finds room, together with the people involved – archaeologists, historians, contractors, students, film makers and photographers. Drawn onto hand-made tinted paper with acrylic inks, pencil and watercolour, these live action drawings made on location provide a dynamic record of a fascinating project.
2 July – 29 August the Grosvenor Museum, Exhibition Gallery One
Walk into a recreated arena to discover the world of the Roman gladiators – the men and women who fought and died just to entertain the crowd. An exhibition to complement the second season of excavations at Chester’s Roman amphitheatre. Please note that the exhibition will be closed during the gladiator fights which will be staged in the gallery – for dates see below.
4 July – 7 September at the Chester History and Heritage, St Michael’s Church
To coincide with the second phase of the three-year Amphitheatre project, Chester History & Heritage take a look at how the landscape around the Roman amphitheatre has changed over the last 50 years. Featuring maps, photographs and, of course, input from local people, this exhibition tells the story of how the area has changed within living memory.
Saturday 2 July, Saturday 9 July, Saturday 23 July, Saturday 30 July, Saturday 13 August, Monday 29 August, 11.30am and 2.30pm each day at the Gladiator Fights!
£1 Pay at the door. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
Come and watch the gladiators fight in the mini-arena created for the exhibition ”To be Killed with Iron”. The show will last approximately 45 minutes. Please note that numbers are strictly limited for safety reasons, and admission will be on a first come - first served basis. Tickets will be available 1 hour before each show.
Tuesday 12 July and Tuesday 23 August at the Grosvenor Museum, Lecture Theatre 1pm – 2pm
£2 Pay at the door
Dan Robinson, Keeper of Archaeology, talks about gladiators and their place in Roman Society and looks at parallels within our own culture.
Saturday 16 July at the Amphitheatre, 10am – 4pm
Free For more information phone Jane (01244) 402009
Join the Chester Archaeology team and celebrate National Archaeology Day at the amphitheatre – cheer on your favourite gladiator in the arena, see what it was like to live in a Roman camp, and join in activities for all the family.
Wednesday 20 July, 1.30pm – 3.30pm. For details telephone (01244) 402110 at Chester History & Heritage
Chester History & Heritage have teamed up with English Heritage’s very own Time Team landscape archaeologist Stewart Ainsworth to host a reminiscence afternoon.
We are appealing to Chester residents to provide photographs or memories to help us shed light on the changing landscape in the streets around the Roman Amphitheatre – what can you tell us about the changes in the buildings, homes, schools, churches and businesses in that area over the last 50 years?
Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 July, 11am - 12noon or 2pm - 3pm at the Grosvenor Museum, Exhibition Gallery One
£1 per child, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Book at the Museum Shop (01244) 402005
Come and find out what armour a gladiator would have worn, and make a shield and helmet worthy of a champion fighter.
Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 August, 11am - 12noon or 2pm - 3pm at the Grosvenor Museum, Exhibition Gallery One
£1 per child, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Book at the Museum Shop (01244) 402005
Come and make masks of the two most terrifying and dangerous animals in the amphitheatre, the bear and the lion. How frightening can you make yourself look?
Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 August, 11am - 12noon or 2pm - 3pm at the Grosvenor Museum, Exhibition Gallery One
£1 per child, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Book at the Museum Shop (01244) 402005
What’s the most terrifying gladiator you can imagine? Bring your idea to life by creating a fearsome fighter out of clay!
Tuesday 16 August 1pm – 2pm at the Grosvenor Museum, Lecture Theatre
£2 Pay at the door
Dan Garner, co-director of the excavations at Chester’s most important archaeological site, describes the discoveries made this year.
Roman Purses
Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 August, 11am - 12noon or 2pm - 3pm at the Grosvenor Museum, Exhibition Gallery One
£1 per child, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Book at the Museum Shop (01244) 402005
Be the richest person in Chester, by making your own purse full of Roman coins! Create a good luck charm and some dice as well, for the perfect Roman purse.