Ancient mosaic of the real Gladiator found

Telegraph ^ | Sunday, April 29, 2007 | Nick Pisa

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A chance discovery by archaeologists has brought to light a mosaic nearly 2,000 years old depicting what may have been a real-life version of the Roman combatant played by Russell Crowe in the film Gladiator. The mosaic was found as Italian researchers carried out work on the spectacular Villa dei Quintili, south of Rome and home to the sports-loving Emperor Commodus. Commodus, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix in the film, was known to enjoy gladiatorial combat and had a small amphitheatre in which fighters would train, near the villa, which Commodus had seized after having its owners executed on a trumped-up charge of treason. It was nearby that the mosaic was found - picturing a gladiator named Montanus holding a trident alongside a referee who appears to be pronouncing him the victor over a prone opponent.

[SunkenCiv]

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In for the kill: The mosaic depicts Montanus, possibly a favourite of the sports-loving Emperor Commodus

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[SunkenCiv]

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[Ditter]

What a great find but wouldn’t you hate to be named Commodus?

[ValerieTexas]

Yep, it's him all right

[SunkenCiv]

Poor Caesar — that was just his nickname, and yet he was plagued by seizures.

[Ditter]

Being named after a salad dressing is not so bad but named after a toilet! *snicker*

[Killborn]

MAXIMUS!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fairview]

Gee, he even looks like Crowe a little. Not as hot, though. But then, who could be as hot as Crowe?

[Ciexyz]

I do wish Russell had done another film set in ancient Greece or Rome; he might have had a megahit film like "300".