Rome, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A wonderful lead relief depicting two gladiators engaged in combat. The shorter Thracian wears a plumed, broad-rimmed helmet that encloses his entire head, a square-shaped shield, and two thigh-length greaves. In his right hand, he holds a curved sword (sica). The murmillo (also spelled mirmillo or myrmillo) class gladiator wears a plumed helmet with a stylized fish (mormylos) on the crest, an arm guard (manica), and carries a gladius and an oblong Gallic shield. Size: 1.9" W x 1.75" H (4.8 cm x 4.4 cm)

The Murmillo gladiators replaced the earlier Gallus warriors (named after the Gauls). By the reign of Augustus, the Gauls had integrated with the Romans and it became distasteful to portray them as enemies. Hence, the Gallus class gladiator was replaced by the Murmillo.

Provenance: ex Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA acquired before 2000

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#158410

Slight bending to overall forms of figures and base, with light encrustations within some recessed details, otherwise intact and very good. Nice preservation to figural details.