Archaeologists in England found a 2,000-year-old Roman knife with a gladiator-shaped handle. Living science was reported.
The dagger has a carved copper alloy cast handle depicting a so-called secutor gladiator with his shield. The Secutor gladiators were a highly skilled group of gladiators trained in close combat. The figure is left-handed, particularly notable in the gladiatorial tradition, as left-handed fighters were considered unlucky. However, some gladiators purposefully learned how to fight with their left hand, as they felt it gave them an advantage in battle. Scholars believe that the handle should represent a specific warrior rather than a general gladiator archetype.
The discovery was made in a river in Corbridge, a former Roman settlement formerly known as Corstopitums. It was next to Hadrian's Wall and in a.d. Sometime from AD 79 It has been dated to 400.
English heritage
According to the researchers, the discovery indicates that gladiators were known outside of Rome. “Despite being slaves and social outcasts by profession, gladiators could become huge celebrities,” said Frances McIntosh, curator of Hadrian's Wall and the North East at English Heritage. Gladiatorial combat was one of the most popular forms of public entertainment in ancient Rome.
“Even now, almost two thousand years later, the fascination with gladiators continues and has spread even further into modern popular culture, as evidenced by the excitement surrounding the New World. Gladiator movie sequel,” McIntosh said.
English Heritage plans to put a rare knife handle and other artefacts found in the river on display in Corbridge Roman Town in 2025.