This is the tomb of the ancient Roman who inspired the Russell Crowe blockbuster Gladiator, archaeologists revealed today.
Marble columns and an inscription in Latin to Marcus Nonius Macrinus have been unearthed in a site where a new housing development is being built.
Daniela Rossi, a senior Rome archaeologist, said in a press conference today: ‘This is without doubt an extraordinary find.
‘It was particularly exciting to be present when the columns and Latin inscription were found.
‘It’s easily one of the most important finds of ancient Rome to have been unearthed in the last 20 or 30 years. I’m very emotional about it.’
The tomb was discovered at Saxa Rubra, north of Rome, close to the ancient Via Flaminia, which connected Rome to the Adriatic Sea on the Italian east coast and parts of it had fallen into a tributary of the River Tiber.
Marcus Nonius Macrinus was from the northern Italian city of Brescia and is named in ancient Roman times as a ‘proconsul of emperor Marcus Aurelius’.
Marcus Aurelius ruled Rome between AD161 and 180 and Macrinus was said to have been a particular favourite of his and part of his inner circle as he won numerous battles for him.
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