A mint condition figurine that served as decoration on the handle of a gladiator knife has resurfaced in England, providing evidence of the “culture of celebrity” under the Roman Empire.
A rare item. A 2,000-year-old statuette in the shape of a gladiator was found in the Tyne, a river located in the north of England, in 1997 by two divers. Donated to the organization responsible for managing English historical heritage, English Heritage, the object allowed us to learn more about “the culture of celebrity” under the Roman Empire.
The statuette, made of copper alloy, was used to decorate the handle of a folding knife. It is none other than the representation of a secutor, a type of gladiator fighting with a shield and a short sword.
According to Frances McIntosh, archaeologist and collections curator for Hadrian’s Wall and North East England at English Heritage, “this could show that this is a specific gladiator” given that he was left-handed although at the time this characteristic was frowned upon in Rome.
A rare Roman knife handle depicting a gladiator has been discovered at Corbridge Roman Town on Hadrian’s Wall. ⚔
The handle provides new proof that gladiators’ celebrity status reached the very edge of the Empire.#GladiatorII pic.twitter.com/1Wrerav9DD
— English Heritage (@EnglishHeritage) November 15, 2024
The statuette also proved that the status of gladiators extended beyond the borders of the Empire. “This beautifully crafted knife handle illustrates how pervasive this culture of celebrity was, even reaching Hadrian’s Wall on the outskirts of the Roman Empire,” added Frances McIntosh.
Soon to be exhibited
English Heritage plans to display the knife handle at the Roman site of Corbridge in 2025 along with other objects found in the Tyne.
The statuette, meanwhile, is only the second of its kind to have been discovered in England.
This statuette emerges from the shadows as the second part of Gladiator by Ridley Scott was released in theaters, 24 years after the feature film directed by Russell Crowe.
What does the presence of gladiator figurines in England reveal about the Roman Empire’s influence and reach beyond its traditional borders?
World Today News: Welcome to our show. Today we have with us two guests, esteemed historians and experts in Roman history, Dr. James Smith and Dr. Sarah Johnson. Thank you both for joining us. The topic for our discussion today is a fascinating discovery in England that sheds light on the “culture of celebrity” under the Roman Empire. Dr. Smith, let’s start with you. Can you tell us more about this mint condition figurine found in the Tyne River, its significance, and what it reveals about Roman culture?
Dr. James Smith: The figurine is a rare find indeed. It’s a 2,000-year-old statuette in the shape of a gladiator found by two divers near the Hadrian’s Wall in Northern England. The statuette, made of copper alloy, was used to decorate the handle of a folding knife and depicts a secutor, a type of gladiator who fought with a shield and short sword. What’s interesting about this find is that it provides further evidence of the “culture of celebrity” that existed within the Roman Empire. The fact that this particular gladiator was left-handed, something that was frowned upon at the time, suggests that he was not just any fighter but gained a significant following and recognition during his time. This object also shows how gladiators were admired beyond the Empire’s borders, even reaching places like Hadrian’s Wall.
World Today News: Dr. Johnson, you’ve mentioned that this find is only the second of its kind in England. How does it compare to the first one and what other insights does it offer us into Roman cultural practices?
Dr. Sarah Johnson: That’s right. The first one was discovered in London in the early 1900s. This new find allows us to look at gladiatorial culture from a different perspective. The fact that this statuette was used to decorate a knife handle is unique, as most others have been found during archaeological digs in brooches or pendants. It also adds credence to the theory that gladiators were considered celebrities, comparable to modern-day sports stars or movie idols. Their images were worn and displayed proudly by their fans, much like this knife handle. What’s
