Gladiatoren- und Tigerdarstellungen auf einem Bleibarren aus dem römischen Schiffswrack von Rena Maiore vor der Nordküste Sardiniens

Abstract

Lead ingots of Southern Gaulish provenience were found in the ship that sunk in front of the northern coast of Sardinia in Augustan times. Among them is a cuboid-shaped specimen with an embossed depiction on its upper side showing a battle scene of gladiators (retiarius versus contraretiarius) as well as a water organ (hydraulis). Illegible small characters are likely to relate to the names of the gladiators. Epigraphical evidence for the producers of the lead ingots is missing. The narrow side of other lead ingots of the same type are decorated with embossed depictions of big cats. Due to the stripes in their fur they are most probably tigers and therefore the first representations of tigers in the Roman period. All of these depictions are so far unique on lead ingots.