NEWS

Ancient Roman gladiator item unearthed in eastern Georgia

The miniature gladius accessory was considered by experts to have been used by gladiators in ancient Rome as amulets while going into battles of entertainment. Photo by Art Palace.

Agenda.ge, 05 Jan 2016 - 17:06, Tbilisi,Georgia

An antique jewellery piece discovered in Georgia's eastern region Kakheti and acquired by the Tbilisi-based Art Palace museum has been linked to elite gladiators of ancient Rome.

The miniature accessory was shaped to represent a gladius - Latin title for the type of sword used by ancient Roman military - and appeared to be made as a necklace.

Dated back to the 1st to 2nd centuries AD by experts, the item is believed to have been worn as an amulet by an unknown gladiator in Rome.

Similar amulets were discovered in other regions and considered to have been used by gladiators for good fortune in brutal battles.

The museum announced it had acquired the item from a private owner, however it was not immediately known if the discovery would be used for exhibition purposes.

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