Gladiator’s tomb found

An extraordinary discovery: the tomb of Marcus Nonius Macrinus, the Roman general who was the subject of a movie starring Russell Crowe, has been found by Italian archeologists.

According to several archeologists specializing in Roman remains, the 1800-year-old marble tomb is one of the most significant finds of the last decades. It was found near the Via Flaminia, one of Rome's largest avenues. Although they have been subjected to the mud and waters of the Tiber for all this time, the columns, roof and friezes are remarkably intact.

After winning important battles, Marcus Nonius Macrinus was named consul and general, becoming one of the closest advisors to Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who ruled between 161 and 180 AD.

Macrinus inspired Ridley Scott's «Gladiator», the 2000 blockbuster which helped make Russell Crowe an international star.

The two men are back together for «Body Of Lies», which will be released here in November.