In the 3rd century, the gladiator Urbicus was an idol of ancient Rome. A sort of demigod, revered by all. Unfortunately, he died tragically at the age of 22 after his 13th career fight.
How do we know and why are we telling you this? Because the funerary stele of Urbicus is among the precious artifacts that visitors to the exhibition will be able to admire Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseumwhich will open its doors on June 21, at the Musée de la civilization de Québec.
The local press was able to witness, on Friday, the unpacking and careful installation of three precious pieces, from Italy, from the collection which will be presented in Quebec: a mirmillon helmet, a pair of leggings and the stone stele. Urbicus marble, traced to Milan in the 17th century.
Very few steles have withstood the passage of time. That of Urbicus gives moving details in Latin about this gladiator, who died under the blows of an adversary to whom he had just given his pardon.
“We read that he is survived by his wife and two daughters, the youngest of whom was 5 months old and was named Olympia. We learn that he was born in Florence and won 13 fights before dying,” explains Thomasso Quirino, an archaeologist from the Milan Ministry of Culture who made the trip to supervise the installation of the artifacts.
Philippe-Antoine Hamel, curator of the Museum of Civilization, and Thomasso Quirino, Italian archaeologist, admire the stele of the gladiator Urbicus.
Photo Didier Debusschere
Rarely seen
On display exclusively in Canada all summer, this exhibition, presented since 2013 in Europe and the United States, showcases treasures from the gladiator era rarely seen here.
Curator Philippe-Antoine Hamel remembers a gladiator helmet on display in the exhibition Pompeii. Immortal city (2021-22), but that’s about it.
“It’s a fairly exceptional historical heritage that we managed to have at the museum,” he rejoices.
160 pieces
In total, we will see 160 pieces mainly extracted from the archaeological sites of Paestum, Pompeii and the famous Colosseum in Rome.
In addition to gladiator helmets and weapons, there will be surgical instruments used to treat wounds, portraits of Roman emperors, jewelry, coins and everyday objects.
A gladiator’s leggings, also called cnemid.
Photo Didier Debusschere
“It’s an exhibition,” believes Philippe-Antoine Hamel, “which can teach us that sports have evolved a lot over time. The gladiators demonstrated what the emperors wanted to offer the public in terms of entertainment. We agree that it was brutal, even deadly, but this entertainment was extremely popular.
