Amiternum relief

[D B Campbell]

Is the Amiternum relief generally accepted as representing a gladiatorial combat?

Yes, but the gladiators are thought to be the so-called bustuarii, who traditionally fought at a Roman Republican funeral. (The slab was found with an identically-sized funeral relief, thought to depict an early first century BC centurion from Amiternum.)

I would guess that the early date and specialized context excuse the gladiators' lack of similarity to the familiar image of the Neronian-Commodan gladiator. But that's just my guess. :wink: