Herencia romana en España: exposición sobre gladiadores y la civilización occidental
Díaz Ayuso emphasized that, despite the passage of centuries, the Roman imprint was marked in Spain in theaters, amphitheaters, mosaics, or triumphal arches, which are complemented by museums, archaeological sites, and exhibitions like the one opening its doors today at Marpa.
«Rome is still alive in us because we are Westerners, children of Greece, Rome, and Judeo-Christianity,» said the Madrid president, highlighting that this civilization has gathered the thinking and beauty of Greek, the talent for Roman political organization, and the respect for every human life, which is always free.
The exhibition brings together over 170 pieces from national and international collections and can be viewed for free until September 28th at Crystal Terrace.
During the visit, Díaz Ayuso managed to learn about some of the highlights of this exhibition led by the Director of the National Museum of Roman Art of Mérida, Trinidad Nogales, and the Director of the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities of the National Archaeological Museum, Ángeles Castiliano. These include helmets, daggers, or Greaves (warrior protections) specially brought from Pompeii.
Therefore, the exhibition allows visitors to delve into the historical phenomenon of the gladiator from its origins, its relationship with power, the development of games, and the social role of its protagonists. The importance of the amphitheater building, the fighting scene, and the fundamental space in urban planning are also illustrated with a spectacular museography that includes a small format.
In addition, the pieces reflecting the presence of gladiator shows in Roman art or popular culture, especially in Hispania, and understanding the reasons for the disappearance of these warriors and their permanence in the collective imagination due to literature or film to contrast this cinematic vision with scientific and archaeological reality.
The 170 pieces come from the collections of the National Museum of Roman Art in Mérida, the National Archaeological Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Seville, the Archaeological Museum of Córdoba, the Albacete Museum, the Museum of Mallorca, the National Museum of Procer, the Civil Musei Museum.
Program and Free Visits
The exhibition, with free admission, can be visited during the museum’s regular program located in the historic center of Alcalá de Henares, from Tuesday to Saturday, between 11:00 and 19:00, and on Sundays and holidays, between 11:00 and 15:00. In addition, Marpa offers guided tours at 12:00 and 13:15. On weekends and holidays. These visits can be booked by phone at 91 879 66 66.
On the occasion of the exhibition, the Archaeological and Paleontological Museum of the Community of Madrid published two publications, a book of studies on Gladiator with contributions from national and international experts on this subject, and a catalog that includes the pieces and texts presented.
More information on the website of the Archaeological and Paleontological Museum of the Community of Madrid.
