Would this really have made mainstream news if the subject's life wasn't made into a popular kick-ass movie starring Russell Crowe? Probably not, but I'm glad it's getting some attention.
Let's hope the historical value of this find eventually outweighs the pop-culture weight of it.
Richard Owen in Rome
Italian archeologists have discovered the tomb of the ancient Roman hero
said to have inspired the character played by Russell Crowe in the film
'Gladiator'.
Daniela Rossi, a Rome archeologist, said the discovery of the monumental
marble tomb of Marcus Nonius Macrinus, including a large inscription bearing his
name, was "an exceptional find". She said it was "the most important ancient
Roman monument to come to light for twenty or thirty years".
The tomb is on the banks of the Tiber near the via Flaminia, north of Rome.
Cristiano Ranieri, who led the archeological team at the site, said the tomb had
long ago collapsed into the mud but its columns, roof and decorations were
intact. Some parts of the tomb had slipped into the river, but had been
recovered.
Read the full story at the Times Online.
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