Minimus! Tiny Gladiator-shaped knife handle found at Hadrian's Wall

A tiny Roman knife handle made to look like a gladiator has been found in a river near Hadrian's Wall.

The intricately designed copper alloy object represents a secutor gladiator, a strong muscular fighter with heavy equipment including a large shield, sword and helmet. 

The 2,000-year-old figure is a remarkable example of a Roman gladiator souvenir, a rarity in Britain. 

Experts at English Heritage say it provides new proof that the celebrity status of gladiators - who were slaves - extended to the outer reaches of the Roman Empire.

The find comes as there is renewed interest in all things Roman amid the release of Ridley Scott's film Gladiator II, the long-awaited sequel to his 2000 blockbuster hit.

The gladiator was found in the River Tyne next to the former settlement known as Corbridge Roman Town, near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland.

Although the discovery was made several years ago by diver Bob Middlemass, English Heritage has only recently been made aware of it. 

Mr Middlemass is lending it to English Heritage along with other objects he found in the river, for an exhibition next summer.  

Because the figure is left-handed - a trait that was then considered unlucky - it is thought it could represent a specific gladiator. 

Read More

Gladiator II review: Sequel falls short of its masterpiece predecessor but is still heaps of fun

Some gladiators were taught to fight with their left hand, possibly in a bid to gain advantage over their opponents. 

Gladiator battles are known to have been hosted in places including Colchester - then known as Camulodunum - in Essex and the Gloucestershire town of Cirencester. 

Britain was continuously occupied by the Romans from 43AD until the early fifth century.  

Dr Frances McIntosh, English Heritage's collectors curator for Hadrian's Wall and the North-East, said: 'It is rare to find a piece of gladiator memorabilia in Britain and to find such a well preserved and interesting piece is particularly remarkable.

'Despite being enslaved and socially outcast due to their profession, gladiators could become huge celebrities. 

'Gladiators and the "spectacles" were an integral part of Roman cultural life, taking place all across the Roman Empire. 

'The phenomenon inspired the creation of sporting memorabilia, such as decorated ceramics and glass cups, lamps and figurines. 

'Gladiators had sex appeal and there are cases of high-status Roman women falling "in love" with these lowly fighters, despite the vast social difference. 

'This beautifully made knife handle is a testament to how pervasive this celebrity culture was, reaching all the way to Hadrian's Wall at the very edge of the Roman Empire.' 

The other Roman objects found by Mr Middlemass include a glass vial and a piece of pottery bearing part of a depiction of a leopard.  

Gladiator II focuses on Paul Mescal's character Lucius, the son of the first film's hero Maximus Decimus Meridius, who was portrayed by Russell Crowe. 

The film, which is released in the UK today, has received largely positive reviews from critics but historical inaccuracies have been picked on by some.

Experts have poured scorn on scenes showing sharks swimming in Rome's Coliseum and gladiators riding rhinos.   

How England spent almost half a millennium under Roman rule

55BC - Julius Caesar crossed the channel with around 10,000 soldiers. They landed at a Pegwell Bay on the Isle of Thanet and were met by a force of Britons. Caesar was forced to withdraw.

54BC - Caesar crossed the channel again in his second attempt to conquer Britain. He came with with 27,000 infantry and cavalry and landed at Deal but were unopposed. They marched inland and after hard battles they defeated the Britons and key tribal leaders surrendered.

However, later that year, Caesar was forced to return to Gaul to deal with problems there and the Romans left.

54BC - 43BC - Although there were no Romans present in Britain during these years, their influence increased due to trade links.

43AD - A Roman force of 40,000 led by Aulus Plautius landed in Kent and took the south east. The emperor Claudius appointed Plautius as Governor of Britain and returned to Rome.

47AD - Londinium (London) was founded and Britain was declared part of the Roman empire. Networks of roads were built across the country.

50AD - Romans arrived in the southwest and made their mark in the form of a wooden fort on a hill near the river Exe.  A town was created at the site of the fort decades later and names Isca. 

When Romans let and Saxons ruled, all ex-Roman towns were called a 'ceaster'. this was called 'Exe ceaster' and a merger of this eventually gave rise to Exeter.   

75 - 77AD - Romans defeated the last resistant tribes, making all Britain Roman. Many Britons started adopting Roman customs and law.

122AD - Emperor Hadrian ordered that a wall be built between England and Scotland to keep Scottish tribes out.

312AD - Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal throughout the Roman empire.

228AD - The Romans were being attacked by barbarian tribes and soldiers stationed in the country started to be recalled to Rome.

410AD - All Romans were recalled to Rome and Emperor Honorious told Britons they no longer had a connection to Rome.

Source: History on the net