Stele with Gladiator

This stele takes its place among many similar stele of gladiators which depict the athlete in a recessed panel with an inscription below. The gladiator stands contrapposto, an upraised gladius in his right hand, and a large rectangular shield in his left hand. On his right arm he wears a manica and on his left leg he wears a metal greave that reaches to just below his knee. A subligaculum with a double belt covers his mid-section. His helmet, characterized by the neck flange and face cover with multiple holes is that of a murmillo and covers his head and face. At the top of the stele an inscription reads 'D M (Dis manibus)', and in the recessed panel below the figure it reads Q(uinti). SOSSI/ ALBI / MYRMILLONIS /SOSSIA IVSTA / LIB(erta) PATRON(O) / BENE MERENTI - Translation: Sossia Iusta freedwoman of Quintus Sossius Albus (put up the monument) to her well-deserving patron.