enables us to give the reader a more correct notion of the combats of the arena, both gladiatorial and animal, than could be furnished by any description, however elaborate. Among the tombs, which are by far the most perfect of all the remains disinterred at Pompeii, was found one covered with coloured bas-reliefs in stucco, presenting minute details of the amphitheatrical games and combats. At a small distance from this monument was found the marble tablet, that had fallen from it, containing an inscription, which has been thus rendered: "To Aricius Scaurus, the son of Aulus, of the tribe Menenia, Justicial Duumvir, to whom the Decurions have granted the site of this monument, two thousand sesterces* for his funeral, and an equestrian statue in the forum. Scaurus, the father, to his son.'

Beneath the inscription, on the steps of the Cippus, are still to be seen some fragments of bas-reliefs in stucco, of which M. Mazois, from whose splendid work we have taken the annexed engraving and its explanations, has selected such as served best to illustrate the huntings and animal combats, or Venationes of the Romans. The first (fig. 1) shows a man exposed without defence between a lion and a panther; in the second (fig. 2) a wild boar is rushing upon a naked man, already overthrown. It has been conjectured that these defenceless Bestiarii, trusting to their agility for their escape, were employed purposely to irritate the wild beasts, and, as soon as they were pursued, saved themselves in some place of retreat, as is still practised in the continental bull-fights. The figures in fact exhibit no sign of alarm, even the man opposed to the wild boar appearing to have

* About 167.; but it has been conjectured that there might have been another cipher on the missing piece, which would make the amount about 247., a sum still too moderate to pay for the funeral games, although it might suffice for the pyre, the vases, and the hire of the usual attendants.

taken an attitude that would enable him to start up instantly, when the danger became imminent. In the same bas-relief is a wolf pierced by a dart, which he gnaws as he runs. Beyond him is a roebuck, attacked by other wolves or dogs, the traces of the rope by which it had been tied being still distinguishable. The third figure is extremely curious, as showing the way in which the young Bestiarius was familiarized to the sight and the roaring of the wild beasts, as well as the manner in which they were taught to encounter them. By means of a collar and rope the panther is fastened to the girth that cinctures an enormous bull, an ingenious contrivance, which, giving a partial liberty to the animal, renders the combat much more equal and interesting than if it were tied to any fixed point. Behind the bull is another Bestiarius, who seems to be goading it on, that the panther may have a greater length of tether for en gaging its assailant. In the fourth figure a man attacks a bear with a sword in one hand, and a veil in the other, from which latter circumstance, (the veil being a recent introduction), we are enabled with some plausibility to fix the epoch of the games given at the funeral of Scaurus to the latter years of the reign of Claudius, or the beginning of that of Nero, when the passion for these exhibitions was at its height.

The bas-reliefs of the base, also executed in stucco, are divided into two zones, the figures being attached to the plaster, as is still practised, by pins of bronze or iron; but the latter, which are unfortunately the most numerous, having become oxidated, have accelerated the decomposition of that which they were intended to preserve. Previously to the disaster that destroyed Pompeii, in the year 79, this tomb seems to have already suffered, since under most of the actual figures we find others of an infinitely better and more graceful workmanship, and sometimes armed in a different manner. From the following inscrip

tion on one of the walls of Pompeii, we learn that the same troop of gladiators, belonging to Numerius Festus Ampliatus, which fought at the funeral of Scaurus, exhibited a second time in the amphitheatre, the 16th of the calendar of June.

N. FESTI. AMPLIATI.

FAMILIA. GLADIATORIA. PUGNA. ITERUM

PUGNA. XVI. IVN. VENAT. VELA.

"The troop of gladiators of Numerius Festus Ampliatus will fight, for the second time, 16th June. Combat, chases, awnings" (in the amphitheatre).

The names of the combatants, the number of their victories, and even their condemnation, are written above the figures, as well as the name of the proprietor of the troop (see the upper part of the plate). In the first zone (fig. 5) we distinguish eight couples of combatants. The first pair, beginning at the left, presents two equestrian gladiators. The first is named Bebrix, a barbarous word, which seems to announce a foreign origin; he has already conquered in several other engagements; the numerals appear to represent XII., but they are partly obliterated. His adversary bears the name of Nobilior, and reckons eleven victories. Each is armed with a light lance, a round shield elegantly ornamented, and a bronze helmet with a visor, entirely covering the face, like those of our ancient knights. The leg and thigh are naked. Bebrix has shoes, such as are now worn: Nobilior has a species of half-boot, tied round the leg. The former has made a thrust with his lance, which the latter has parried, and is charging his antagonist.

The next group consists of two gladiators whose names are effaced. In the first light-armed figure we recognise one of the Velites, and in the other a Samnite. The former, sixteen times victor in former

games, has at length encountered a more fortunate or more skilful combatant than himself. Wounded in the breast, he has lowered his buckler in confession. of his defeat, and raised his finger towards the people, for it was thus that the gladiators implored mercy. Behind him the Samnite awaits the answer of the spectators, ready to spare, or to despatch him, according to their orders.

In the third pair we behold the combat of a Thracian and a Myrmillo. The swords have mostly disappeared, or were never sculptured by the artist, otherwise the former would have been represented with a crooked scimitar. We do not find on the helmet of the Myrmillo the fish with which they were accustomed to adorn their crest; but he is characterized by his Gaulish arms, whence the whole class acquired their nickname, and we may perceive at his foot the Gaulish half-pike, which he has thrown away at the moment of his defeat. Although conqueror upon fifteen other occasions, he is at length defeated, and the Thracian, his adversary, gains a thirty-fifth victory. The Myrmillo, wounded in the breast, implores the clemency of the people; but the letter theta, placed at the end of the inscription above him, announces that he was put to death.*

The four following persons, consisting of two Secutores and two Retiarii, offer a still more cruel spectacle. Nepimus, a Retiarius, five times victorious, has fought with a Secutor, whose name is effaced; but who was no unworthy adversary, since he had triumphed six times in different engagements. On the present occasion he has been less fortunate. Nepimus has struck him on the leg, the thigh, the left arm, and the right side, from all of which the blood flows in vain has he implored mercy; the spectators

* M. Millin, in describing this tomb, proves from several authorities that the was thus placed, because it was the initial of the word Oavwv-dying.

have condemned him to death! But as the trident is not a proper weapon for inflicting a sure and speedy death, it is the Secutor Hippolytus who renders to his comrade this last service. The wretched victim bends his knee, and throws himself upon the fatal sword, while Nepimus, his conqueror, spurns him with his foot and hand, as if he were ferociously insulting him in his last moments. In the distance

is seen the Retiarius who is to fight against Hippolytus. The armour of the Secutores was light, for nothing but their agility could afford them a chance of escape and victory. On the head of the Retiarii we perceive no other defence than a bandage: the nets with which they sought to entangle their adversaries are not apparent. This portion of the basrelief is terminated by the combat of a Velite and a Samnite. The latter implores the spectators to grant him his dismissal, which apparently is refused; his adversary looks towards the steps of the amphitheatre; he has seen the fatal signal, and seems preparing to strike.

Figure 6 forms part of the upper zone, from which, however, it is separated by the pilasters of the gate. In the first combat a Samnite has been conquered by a Myrmillo, who wishes to immolate his antagonist without waiting the decision of the people, to whom the latter has appealed; but the Lanista or master of the gladiators restrains his fury. The next pair offers a similar combat, in which the Myrmillo, having received his death-wound, is falling stiffened to the ground.

A less inhuman, but not less sanguinary spectacle forms the subject of the lower zone (fig. 7). In the upper portion we see a dog chasing hares, a timid animal that would seem scarcely worthy the honour of the circus; but the cruelty of the Romans was ingenious, and by some of Martial's Epigrams (lib. i., epig. 15, 23, 53, 71) we know that in certain games hares