Gladiator graveyard located in Ephesus could prove to be the first known burial place for Rome's fighting heroes.
In an exciting turn of events, archaeologists believe they have located a graveyard for Roman gladiators. This is the first time in history a graveyard has been discovered containing the bones of these fallen fighters.
The excavations, which began to take place during the month of May, have provided insight into the medical history and lifespan of gladiatorial warriors.
The graveyard itself, which is located in the city of Ephesus, was a major settlement during the Roman period. Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of 67 individuals so far, many of which have healed wounds. It is believed this evidence supports the theory they are indeed gladiator remains. On three gravestones, gladiator motifs are clearly depicted.
Many gladiators were prisoners of war. They were considered slaves in Roman society, and were deemed part of the lower class. Despite their popularity or fame inside the arena, gladiators were not considered part of the upper class of Roman society. This recent discovery is very important, because it was believed most gladiator graves were not marked.
