GUEST LECTURE

New insights into spectacula and the associated religious ceremonies on Roman coins

Prof. Dr. Bernhard Woytek, University of Vienna

The lecture dealt with the most popular entertainment events of the Roman Empire, chariot races, gladiatorial contests and theatrical performances, and their religious significance. The focus was on religious processions such as the pompa circensis that opened these games, as well as their depiction in Roman coinage. The speaker discussed selected numismatic questions and presented new interpretative approaches to important coin types.

The lecture was held as a joint event with the Freundeskreis der Staatlichen Münzsammlung München.