Amber amulet in shape of gladiator helmet. Dated back to 1st – 2nd century CE. Found in London.
The object measures 1 cm wide, and was found in the remains of a ruined house. Large amounts of ceramics and animal bones were found with it. The find reveals a large closed gladiator helmet of the type murmillo. The gladiator was armed with a short sword gladius and a rectangular shield scutum. He usually fought with Thracian.
Amber was a valuable material that was imported from the north. According to Roman writer Pliny the Elder, amber amulets protected children from diseases. It is possible that the shape of the object was to strengthen its powers.
