• r2-153-10
    Stele fragment with gladiator relief, overview. (©Archaeological Exploration of Sardis/President and Fellows of Harvard College)

Stele Fragment with Gladiator Relief

Date
3rd C. AD?, Roman
Sardis or Museum Inv. No.
NoEx60.016
Material
Marble, Stone
Object Type
Sculpture
Sculpture Type
Funerary Relief, Gladiator
Inscription Text
-ΚΟΣ

G. Petzl, M14:

		      [     -]λος
Inscription Translation
Inscription Comment
Site
Sardis
Findspot
Findspot unknown.
Description

The gladiator, clutching a short sword in his r. hand, strides toward the r. He is enclosed by a rectangular cutting. Below his feet was an inscription, giving the man’s name; all that remains is ΚΟΣ. The gladiator wears a heavy helmet with squared top and encircling protective visor, thick arm and body padding, greaves, and boots. His shield, held in front of his body by the (hidden) left hand, is a curved rectangular type covering him to the knees; a small elongated knob decorates the front center.

The relief is simple and bold, showing broad surfaces without detail. The style is somewhat stiff and flat, but not ineffective. A 3rd C. date seems likely.

Condition

White marble.

Surface heavily incrusted by brown calcium carbonate coating. L. side missing, cutting off border; also the man’s r. elbow and lower r. leg, and most of the inscription below.

Dimensions
H. 0.625; W. 0.293; Th. 0.09; H. figure 0.43; H. relief 0.02-0.04
Comments
Compare similar stele types, showing single gladiator and inscription, Robert, Gladiateurs, nos. 187, 226, 256 (all pl. VIII) and plates following. Cf. similar relief from Ephesus: Bammer-Fleischer-Knibbe, Führer Museum Selcuk-Ephesos, 145f., inv. no. 1290, with references. There are also six similar gladiator stelai lined up along the road E of the Ephesus agora (just S of the theater). Cf. also similar shield and armor on relief. García y Bellido, Esculturas romanas, 424, no. 428, pl. 306. Cf. also Cat. 154 (Fig. 299).
See Also
See also: M14, No. 413.
Bibliography
Author
NHR