Archaeologists in Naples have discovered a tomb believed to belong to a Roman gladiator, shedding new light on these ancient warriors. The tomb was found in a necropolis near Liternum, an ancient town from 1-3 centuries BC. Identification of the site as a gladiator burial ground came from a marble funerary inscription. This find underscores the gladiators' memory and societal importance, differing from typical cinematic portrayals of their lives and deaths in combat.
Researchers made the extraordinary find while excavating a 1,600-square-foot necropolis located near the ancient settlement of Liternum, revealing a rare testimony to gladiators' lives.
The epitaph discovered is a valuable document for understanding the role and memory of gladiators in Roman society, shedding light on their importance.
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