Message #248851

[Krystal Coenen]

While Meridius fell from grace after the emperor's death and ended up in exile in North Africa only to return as a gladiator and take revenge, the real Roman general remained a rich and famous man until the end of his days.

Ironically, a lack of money has so far prevented his tomb from being restored in its full glory.

"In the next coming days the monumental tomb will be filled in, but we hope this is just a temporary measure. We have not given up yet. We still believe in the project of the via Flaminia archaeological park," Barbera said.

Photo: Top: Russell Crowe in "Gladiator" Credit: DreamWorks/Universal Pictures. Middle and bottom: Marble columns, carvings and friezes belonging to the monumental tomb of Marcus Nonius Macrinus. Credit: Archivio fotografico Soprintendenza speciale beni archeologici di Roma.

http://news.discovery.com/history/gladiator-tomb-reburied-121204.html