Archaeologists in Turkey have discovered a tomb dating back to the third century B.C., believed to have once belonged to a Roman gladiator. The tomb, located at the St. John Monument in Selcuk, Izmir, was unearthed during an excavation authorized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The excavation was led by associate professor Sinan Mimaroglu from Hatay Mustafa Kemal University’s Department of Art History.
While the tomb itself dates back to the third century B.C., it was later reused in the fifth century A.D. to house the remains of 12 individuals. The tomb’s name, “Euphrates,” suggests its connection to a gladiator.
In ancient Rome, gladiators were professional fighters who engaged in combat in front of large crowds. Many early gladiators were enslaved or criminals, but as these battles gained popularity, men began to voluntarily participate.
Gladiatorial combat typically involved one-on-one battles under the supervision of a referee. While early battles often ended in death, this practice became less common as gladiators underwent intense and expensive training, making them costly to replace.
Historians estimate that around one in five or one in 10 gladiatorial battles resulted in the death of a combatant. Most gladiators only lived to their mid-20s.
Similar tombs have been found in Istanbul, Marmara Island, and Syria. The tomb’s interior contains crosses carved into the walls, dating back to the fifth century. Additional crosses on the tomb’s lid are believed to have been added in the seventh and eighth centuries.
The identities of the 12 individuals buried in the tomb are unknown, but they are thought to have come from an upper-class background.
“The burials inside the church likely belong to the upper class or clergy, as it’s unlikely an ordinary person would be buried in such a meticulous manner within a church,” stated Mimaroglu.
The discovery of this tomb provides valuable insights into the ancient city of Ephesus and ancient burial practices.