Archaeologists discover 'gladiator' tomb in Italy

Rome, Oct 16 : Archaeologists, in Italy, have found the tomb of an ancient Roman aristocrat, who is believed to have inspired Russell Crowe's character in the hit film Gladiator.

According to the news agency ANSA, the name of the ancient patrician was Marcus Nonius Macrinus, a proconsul who achieved major victories for Marcus Aurelius, emperor from 161 AD to his death in 180 AD.

Macrinus, a favourite of the emperor, is thought to have prompted the writers of the Ridley Scott film to imagine their "general who became a slave, slave who became a gladiator, gladiator who defied an emperor," as the tag line to the 2000 epic said.

Russell Crowe won an Oscar in the title role of the Roman noble.

Though parts of the tomb have been recovered, most of it is thought to have fallen into the Tiber River.

Three more important finds which also "enrich the history of Rome" have been uncovered, the Rome archaeological superintendency said.

ANI