Object Description
A very fine Roman bronze plate brooch depicting a gladiator fight. The scene shows the ‘provocator’ gladiator on the left. He is identifiable from the large rectangular shield and short dagger he holds. His weight is pushed forward, braced on his left leg as he seemingly triumphs over the ‘retiarius’ on the right, who has fallen to the ground in defeat. The fallen gladiator raises his right hand (partially missing) up as if to shield himself from the final blow. The back of the brooch is unadorned and features two protruding slabs of metal, the catch plate and hinge plate. The hinge and pin of this fibula have unfortunately been lost.
Date: Circa 1st Century AD