The legend of the gladiator at the Roman villa

A newly discovered mosaic depicts a famous gladiator who has conquered the hearts of many Roman people, like the character Maximus played by American actor Russell Crowe in the Gladiator film of America. 2000.

Scientists have discovered the image of this hero on the outskirts of Rome, at the residence of Emperor Commodus. Researchers believe the warrior may be a heroic hero that Commodus admires.

Archaeologist Riccardo Frontoni accidentally discovered the picture while digging at the Villa dei Quintili villa, Commodus' suburban resort. The area is located along the Via Appia Antica road connecting Rome with southern Italy.

"Historically the picture is very valuable because it does not describe a mythical or imaginary scene, but a real practitioner: a gladiator and the referee is claiming he is the winner", Frontoni said. "The inscription in the picture shows the warrior named Montanus, possibly a nickname, and the referee named Antonius".

The boxer wore light leather armor that covered his arms, left shoulder, neck and back of his head. He held a trident and a net . "It is a familiar weapon of warriors called retiarii. In competitions, retiarii often battles with secutor - warriors carrying swords and shields," Frontoni said.

The gladiatorial painting was discovered at Villa dei Quintili villa
(Photo: National Geographic)

"The appearance of inscriptions with names - an unusual detail - shows that Montanus is a famous warrior loved by the Romans, like today's footballers."

"Gladiator is a contradiction in society. They have to do a dangerous job and buy fun for others, but on the other hand they are heroes in the eyes of the Romans," Luciano Canfora, Historian at the Bari University of Italy said.

Commodus, who ruled the Roman Empire from 180 to 192, was also an avid fan of gladiatorial battles. He himself likes to fight as a secutor . "The members of the Roman dynasty did not accept that he had such non-traditional behavior. Meanwhile, ordinary people admired the emperor's unique hobby and liked to watch him fight." .

Because of his position, the opponents often yielded to Commodus. But he was still proud of his fitness and considered himself the reincarnation of Hercules. However, this warlike emperor is not the character in the mosaic.

"Commodus was born in the year 161. The picture is on the floor of a bathroom built in 130, the same year as the building, so it was born before Commodus was born," Frontoni said. "At that time the Quintilii family owned the mansion. They were friends with Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Commodus' father."

"I think Commodus was a kid who often went to Quintilii's house to admire the Montanus painting. He probably knew and admired this hero."

Later in 182, Commodus confiscated the mansion after executing Quintilii's house for treason. The irony is that the emperor died in 192 due to being strangled in the bathroom by his own Narcissus martial arts teacher. This traitor was hired by a group of mandarins to assassinate the king.

MT