Roman gladiator brooch from Frankfurt, around 200 to 250 AD.

Description

So far only very few brooches with gladiator representations are known; they are all in private collections. This piece, from a collection near Frankfurt/Main, has a height of 2.7 cm and shows a SECUTOR armed with helmet, rectangular shield, greaves and gladius, who attacks a RETIARIUS (net fighter), only armed with a dagger, lying on the ground. As a sign of surrender, the Retarius raises his right fist with his thumb pointing up. Original bronze, tinned. Around 200 to 250 AD.