Primus Pilus Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 A chance discovery by archaeologists has brought to light a mosaic nearly 2,000 years old depicting what may have been a real-life version of the Roman combatant played by Russell Crowe in the film Gladiator. The mosaic was found as Italian researchers carried out work on the spectacular Villa dei Quintili, south of Rome and home to the sports-loving Emperor Commodus... The Telegraph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludovicus Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Here's a view of the site of the Villa dei Quintilli from above. http://wikimapia.org/45809/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primus Pilus Posted May 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Thanks for that L... Really helps puts things in perspective. The site seems so isolated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nephele Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Thanks for that L... Really helps puts things in perspective. The site seems so isolated. It must be pretty isolated... "Just hours after it was shown to The Sunday Telegraph, thieves tried to prise the 10 sq m scene from the ground, damaging the mosaic." Some people just suck. -- Nephele Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldrail Posted May 5, 2007 Report Share Posted May 5, 2007 A chance discovery by archaeologists has brought to light a mosaic nearly 2,000 years old depicting what may have been a real-life version of the Roman combatant played by Russell Crowe in the film Gladiator. Great find, but the Russel Crowe comparison is hype surely? Was Montanus legate of the Felix legion? No, just a retiarius favoured from the reign of Commodus, and there's no guarantee they had any dealings. Commodus seized the property which depicted this Montanus, who may have belonged to the original owner? Or was a favourite gladiator? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Paulinus Maximus Posted May 5, 2007 Report Share Posted May 5, 2007 A chance discovery by archaeologists has brought to light a mosaic nearly 2,000 years old depicting what may have been a real-life version of the Roman combatant played by Russell Crowe in the film Gladiator. Great find, but the Russel Crowe comparison is hype surely? Was Montanus legate of the Felix legion? No, just a retiarius favoured from the reign of Commodus, and there's no guarantee they had any dealings. Commodus seized the property which depicted this Montanus, who may have belonged to the original owner? Or was a favourite gladiator? Yeah I agree, the Russel Crowe comparison must surely have been used to get a bit more press coverage, but still an interesting find none the less,and thanks to Ludovicus for the link, It must have been pretty cool to have your very own Amphitheater in the grounds of your own Villa. You would have thought that after this find they would have put on at least a little bit more security to stop mindless idiots just strolling up and damaging over a thousand years worth of history wouldn't you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldrail Posted May 6, 2007 Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 Maybe not mindless idiots. There's good money to be had from antiquities on the black market. Egypt for instance works hard to stop smugglers taking their heritage abroad to private collectors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Paulinus Maximus Posted May 6, 2007 Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 Maybe not mindless idiots. There's good money to be had from antiquities on the black market. Egypt for instance works hard to stop smugglers taking their heritage abroad to private collectors. Good point Caldrail. Ok then maybe not mindless idiots then just greedy get rich quick idiots! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primus Pilus Posted May 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Updated story... A newly discovered mosaic might depict a "superstar" gladiator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldrail Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Hehehe More exciting journalism! Notice the retiarius is left handed. So was Commodus, who was very proud of of being able to fight in this rare mode. I might suggest his left-handedness is one reason why the emperor favoured him, though perhaps he might want to spend a bit more on mosaic artists Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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