Study Shows that Antimony in Water Pipes Poisoned Ancient Romans

This brick building was where the water from the Serinum Aquaduct was distributed to different parts of Pompeii.
It is located near the Herculaneum Gate and was prominently featured at the end of the novel Pompeii by Robert Harris.

A Roman water pipe fragment from Pompeii has been analyzed by researchers at the University of Southern Denmark and the findings show high concentrations of antimony. While it is assumed that the Roman's use of lead pipes poisoned them, the pipes quickly calcified preventing lead from leaching into the water. However, antimony was also used along with lead in the water pipes. Compounding the problem, antimony is also an item naturally found in volcanic areas. It is acutely toxic. Poisoning symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and, if severe, kidney and liver problems. 

For more information go to Antimony Found in Pompeii Pipe.

Enormous Gladiator Tomb Discovered in Pompeii

photo courtesy of Soprintendenza di Pompeii

A large marble tomb of a gladiator was just found in Pompeii, just outside of the Stabian Gate, which is the southern gate of the city. The tomb was found during excavations that have been taking place as part of the Pompeii Archaeological Research Project on Porta Stabia by the University of Cincinnati and the American Academy in Rome. To see a video of this exciting excavation, go here: Gladiator Tomb Excavation Video by PetrolioRai1

Stabian Gate by Alberto Pisa (1910)

So far the gladiator's name hasn't been found, but the find is remarkable since the epigraph on the tomb is the longest one we have from the ancient world. The more than 13 foot long epigraph describes how the gladiator came to age, was married and the banquets and games that he sponsored. This gladiator appears to have become a city magistrate and likely died in infamous riot that took place at a gladiator game in Pompeii in 59 C.E. As a result of the riot of 59 C.E., the Emperor Nero forbid Pompeii from holding gladiator games for ten years. A fresco survives depicting the riot and can be seen at the Naples National Archaeological Museum.

Fresco showing Pompeii riot (courtesy of the Naples National Archaeological Museum)

For more information on the Pompeii Research Project go to the Porta Stabia Pompeii Research Project