A ROMAN cremation vessel discovered in Colchester more than 170 years ago will be displayed in a major UK-wide exhibition.

The Colchester Vase, which was found in a Roman grave in Colchester and has been at Colchester Castle since its discovery, will be a key feature in the British Museum’s touring "Gladiators of Britain" exhibition.

The 2nd-century Roman cremation vessel features intricate scenes of gladiatorial battles and is one of the earliest pieces of evidence suggesting such spectacles took place in Roman Britain.

Along with other artefacts including a glass sports cup and a gladiator helmet lamp, the vase has been removed from display at Colchester Castle.

It will now travel the country until 2026, beginning at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery in January 2025, before visiting Northampton, Chester, and Carlisle.

Natalie Sommers, portfolio holder for communities, heritage, and public protection at Colchester Council, said: "The Colchester Vase is a treasured part of our local history, and we are incredibly proud to see it featured in this national exhibition.

"This tour offers a wonderful opportunity to share Colchester's rich Roman heritage with a wider audience and highlights the vital role our city played in Roman Britain.

"We look forward to welcoming the Vase back home in 2026, enriched with new stories from its journey."

The "Gladiators of Britain" exhibition will highlight the history of gladiatorial combat in Roman Britain, featuring significant artefacts from the British Museum and partner institutions across the UK.

The Colchester Vase will be a key part of this exhibition, providing unique insights into the lives of Romans in Britain.

Glynn Davis, senior collections and learning curator for Colchester Museums, said: "It’s incredibly exciting that the Colchester Vase is joining some of the most important gladiator-related objects in the country, that shed new light on the men behind the helmets that battled in Roman Britain's arenas.

"New research and scientific analysis are revealing insights into who the gladiators of Britain were and the nature of the Roman games.

"The Colchester Vase is central to understanding these shifts in perspective, bringing us closer to the realities of the arena and the people that fought and died in violent spectacle."