The tiny figure of a mysterious left-handed gladiator has been found near Hadrian’s Wall, proving that celebrity fighters were idolised even in the far reaches of the Roman Empire.
Standing a few inches tall, the little combatant was once attached to a knife – providing its handle – and is believed to be a rare example of a treasured gladiatorial souvenir acquired by an ardent fan.
The gladiator, who is shown wearing a helmet and carrying a shield, was found in the River Tyne at Corbridge in Northumberland.
It is unclear who the figure was, but as it is left-handed, it may depict a specific gladiator, experts believe.
There are only a few left-handed gladiators we know about, including Albanus from Pompeii, Valerius from around Sorrento, Victor from Philippopolis in Thrace (modern-day Bulgaria) and Lyco from Rome.