Riot at the Gladiator Games
- Denise Laurin
- Sep 8
- 2 min read
My blog is back! Over the past year (2024-25) my energy was divided between painting for a solo show, a year-long virtual course in art history and a summer course in art and culture, both of which I researched, designed and presented. Naturally, there were other individual presentations I developed, including Signs of Life: Imaginary Journey to Ancient Pompeii. So I have been on an all-consuming Pompeii kick!
Barring the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, one of the most interesting historical events in Pompeii's history is the murderous brawl between the Pompeians and the neighboring town of Nucero in 59 CE. The violence was so severe that Nero proclaimed that the arena would be closed for ten years. (This punishment was lifted in 62 CE after a disastrous earthquake struck the city.) The organizers of the game, which included a former senator, were all exiled.
The fourth-style fresco pictured above was found at the House of Actius Anicetus in Pompeii and was moved for safe-keeping to the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. We are eyewitnesses to history as the murderous brawl takes place. The amphitheatre was one of the oldest of its kind dating to 70 BCE, about 150 years before the Roman Colosseum was built.
This tragic event was documented by the first century CE historian Tacitus: About this time there was a serious fight between the inhabitants of two Roman settlements, Nuceria and Pompeii. It arose out of a trifling incident at a gladiatorial show....During an exchange of taunts—characteristic of these disorderly country towns—abuse led to stone-throwing, and then swords were drawn. The people of Pompeii, where the show was held, came off best. Many wounded and mutilated Nucerians were taken to the capital.
Keep up with when/where I will present this lecture next. It will also be offered over Zoom. Please subscribe to my website to stay informed. www.deniselaurinvisualart.com
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