Recently a forensic study has previously revealed direct physical evidence that a Roman gladiator in Britain was killed by a lion, BBC Informed
The skeleton, discovered in the Drified Terrace in York in 2004 – a site was considered a Roman gladiator cemetery – found with a bite mark that researchers matched a lion bite radius using 3D scanning and zoo animals compared to zoo.
The remains belonged to a person aged 26 to 35 years. The pattern of wounds on her pelvis indicates that she was alive at the time of the attack, suggesting that she was a Bastiyaras – a gladiator who was trained to fight wild animals.
The study was led by Professor Tim Thompson of Mainooth University, who said, “This discovery first provides direct, physical evidence that such events were held during this period, re -shaping our perception of Roman entertainment culture in the region.”
More than 80 skeletons have been found in the Drified Terrace Cemetery, many of which show signs of violent deaths, including decapitations. The presence of such foreign animals in Roman Britain underlines the logical ability of the empire to transport creatures such as lions like lions from Africa.
John Pierce, a co-writer at King’s College London, said the discovery shows how the Roman-style glasses also expanded to the outer provinces of the empire. Research published in a magazine reviewed by a colleague, Roman highlights the cruel nature of entertainment and the use of animals in both sports and execution.
This discovery challenges the traditional perceptions of Roman Britain’s relative citizenship compared to other parts of the empire. It also raises new questions about how these animals were brought to Britain and cultural effects of such deadly public glasses.
