Find Spot record 8088/37 - Roman architectural fragment from Newgate Street

A relief discovered during construction of a house then belonging to John Philpot in Newgate Street east (then Fleshmonger’s Lane) in 1737-8. The site is later recorded as being c46m north east of the amphitheatre. (2)

The relief represents a gladiatorial contest in which only the retiarius is clearly represented, the gladiator appears to be left-handed, however, which is unusual and may depict a real gladiator. It forms part of a slate-cut frieze 18.7cm deep. A cast was held by Chester Museum, while the original is now in the Saffron Wealdon Museum (6)

<1> Lawson, P H, 1926, Schedule of the Roman Remains of Chester with Maps and Plans, No.44 (Article in Journal). SCH5956.

<2> Jackson, Ralph, 1983, The Chester Gladiator Rediscovered (Article in Journal). SCH5617.

<3> Anon, 1929, Miscellanea (Article in Journal). SCH5705.

<4> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, p201-202 (Book). SCH2878.

<5> Hemingway, J., 1831, History of Chester, from its foundation to the present time. Volume 2 (Book). SCH1412.

<6> Lysons D & Lysons S, 1806-22, Magna Britannia, p431 (Book). SCH2066.

<7> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1970-Present, Britannia, Vol 14 p87 (Journal/Periodical). SCH445.

<8> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p156 (Book). SCH3556.

<9> Henig D.F, 2004, Roman Sculpture in the NW Midlands, No 118 (Book). SCH6862.