RARE ROMAN KNIFE HANDLE DISCOVERED AT HADRIAN’S WALL

Find in the River Tyne in Northumberland proves celebrity cult’ of gladiators, say experts

- Sophie Ellis

A Roman-gladiator knife handle has been recovered from a river near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, furthering speculation that the 'celebrity cult' of gladiators spread to the far frontiers of the Roman Empire.

The rare discovery in the north-east of England - which came less than two weeks after the release of Ridley Scott's Gladiator II in UK cinemas - was made in the River Tyne at English Heritage's Corbridge Roman Town site. Made from copper alloy, the knife handle is cast in the shape of a gladiator holding a shield.