These illustrations of gladiatorial combat are from the Massimi Mosaic, which was found in Rome.

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These illustrations of gladiatorial combat are from the Massimi Mosaic, which was found in Rome and is now housed in Madrid's National Library. The dress and armor are not completely accurate, but they offer a glimpse of such combat in the time of the Romans. In both frames, two gladiators, Maternus and Symmachius, fight while umpires watch. Their dress characterizes them as "murmillones." In the bottom frame, Symmachius wounds Maternus. The upper frame shows the end of the fight. The Greek letter following Maternus' name represents the Greek word "thanatos" (death), and signifies that Maternus died in the combat. The text in the top frame translates: "I slay him." "We see it, Symmachius, lucky man." "Dextrous." "Maternus." The text in the bottom frame translates: "With those fighting, dextrous Symmachius sends the iron to Maternus."

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Size: 3775px × 4050px
Photo credit: © Ivy Close Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: ancient, arena, athletes, athletics, combat, contact, dead, fighting, gladiator, gladiatorial, gladiators, massimi, maternus, mosaic, murmillones, roman, rome, sports, symmachius, thanatos, world