Drawing of a gladiator

((:gladiator ad dext., eques))


Description of Drawing (English): gladiator facing right, eques
Findspot: Smyrna, Basilica (Agora.1)
Drawing Category: Gladiators
Writing Style: Graffito/incised
  • Graffito Height: 4
  • Graffito Length: 11
Bibliography: Bagnall, R. S. et al., Graffiti from the Basilica in the Agora of Smyrna (2016): 340.
Commentary: Graffito of a gladiator located at the southern face of Pier A54, looking into the Basilica’s northern corridor. The man is depicted in profile, advancing toward the right. The sleeveless tunic, the visored helmet, the manica at the right arm, and especially the long lance (hasta) suggest that the gladiator is an eques. The graffito is partially abraded at the bottom; therefore, it is not possible to determine if the gladiator was originally depicted on a horse. The graffito is possibly to be read in relation to the two spectators in graffito DP54.1.
Suggested Citation: AGP-SMYDP0542, The Ancient Graffiti Project, <http://ancientgraffiti.org/Graffiti/graffito/AGP-SMYDP0542> [accessed: 19 Apr 2024]
Contributions:

Editor: Roger S. Bagnall

Principal Contributor: Roger S. Bagnall

Last Revision: 2016-10-03