The Gladiator’s Tomb: The Video

The BBC has provided a video of the tomb of Marcus Nonius Macrinus, the Roman general who served under Emperor Marcus Aurelius during a period of expansion of the Roman Empire.

The life and work of Marcus Nonius Macrinus inspired the part for the main character in the Oscar-winning film “Gladiator” played by Russell Crowe.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary


Tags: Archaeology, Gladiator, Marcus Nonius Macrinus, News, Russell Crowe

The Gladiator

Italian archeologists have discovered the tomb of Marcus Nonius Macrinus, the ancient Roman gladiator who became the main character of the movie “Gladiator,” played by Russell Crowe.

Daniela Rossi, the Rome archeologist who participated in the discovery of the monumental marble tomb said that the tomb of Marcus Nonius Macrinus included a large inscription bearing his name. According to Rossi, the discovery of Marcus Nonius Macrinus’s tomb is “the most important ancient Roman monument to come to light for twenty or thirty years.”

According to the news report, Marcus Nonius Macrinus, was born in Brescia in northern Italy. He was a general and consul who led military campaigns for Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor from 161 AD to 180 AD. He became part of the Emperor's inner circle and one of his favorite commanders, serving as proconsul in Asia.




Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

Tags: Archaeology, Gladiator, Marcus Nonius Macrinus, News, Russell Crowe