Drawing of gladiatorial combat
((:certamen gladiatorum, provocatores))
| Description of Drawing (English): | gladiator contest, provocators |
|---|---|
| Findspot: |
Smyrna, Basilica
(Agora.1)
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| Drawing Category: | Gladiators |
| Writing Style: | charcoal |
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| Bibliography: | Bagnall, R. S. et al., Graffiti from the Basilica in the Agora of Smyrna (2016): 230. |
| Commentary: | Dipinto of a gladiatorial combat, located in the western half of the back wall of Bay 22, toward the middle. The drawing is damaged by a very large lacuna at the right half, so that only the gladiator to the left is still preserved. He is drawn in three-quarter, his head and body turned toward the right. The head of the gladiator is completely covered by a tight fitting, visored helmet. The chest is protected by a semicircular breastplate. The right arm is bent forward: he is probably holding his weapon, but the lines here are almost completely faded. To the right are a few traces of the other figure: a rectangular shield and the brim of the helmet protecting the neck. The lower half of the body of both men is missing (and probably was never drawn). Considering the secure identification of the left gladiator as a provocator, the scene can be identified as a combat between provocatores. |
| Suggested Citation: | AGP-SMYD00222, The Ancient Graffiti Project, <http://ancientgraffiti.org/Graffiti/graffito/AGP-SMYD00222> [accessed: 25 Apr 2024] |
| Contributions: |
Editor: Roger S. Bagnall Principal Contributor: Roger S. Bagnall Last Revision: 2016-10-03 |
