Gladiators and the Colosseum – Heroes and Architecture in the Service of the Powerful
Flyer "Gladiators and the Colosseum" (pdf, 1.4 MB)
The story of the gladiators and the Colosseum continues to be related to this day. Countless films such as Gladiator, Spartacus or Quo Vadis describe the extraordinary phenomenon of the men who fought for life and death, and examines the dedicated architecture that was created for their performances. This was the amphitheatre, the precursor of today’s arenas. The Liechtensteinisches Landesmuseum is dedicating an exceptional exhibition to this topic.
Furthermore, original exhibits from the Colosseum are being shown for the very first time in the Alpine region, and for only the second time outside Italy. The exhibition also includes the most magnificent examples of gladiator armour from the National Museum of Naples, further original items from Italy and armour and weapons of the various gladiator types, created in accordance with the latest academic research. In addition, fascinating documentaries and films will be shown about gladiators and the Colosseum, the archetypal Roman building, the most iconic landmark of Rome, of Italy and of the Roman Empire.
How was the Colosseum built, how was it designed, who were the gladiators, how did they fight, live and feel? What role did they play in society?
The exhibition relates everything worth knowing about the gladiators and the dedicated architecture created for their set-piece battles. It throws light on the institution of the gladiator with all its highs and lows – a story that takes the breath away even today.
Helmet of a gladiator from the gladiator school in Pompeii. Decorated with a variety of figures, including a victorious gladiator. Bronze. Probably shortly before 79 AD. - © Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Napels
Relief of an area of the Colosseum. Decorated with acanthus tendrils. Marble. Approx. 70/80 AD. - © Colosseum, Rome
Dagger of a gladiator from the gladiator school in Pompeii. Bronze, ivory, iron. Probably shortly before 79 AD. - © Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Neapel
Relief from a ceiling in the Colosseum. Marble. Approx. 70/80 AD. - © Colosseum, Rom
Statuette of a gladiator. Bronze. 1-2 century AD. Bologna, Museo Civico Archeologico.Main sponsors:
Stiftung Fürstl. Kommerzienrat Guido Feger, Vaduz
In co-operation with: