THE FAITHFUL DOG AND THE GLADIATOR KILLED BY A MAN HE DEFEATED

WE love this new painting by RAFFAELE CARUSO, one of our favorite artists. It is based on the true-life story of a gladiator and his faithful dog.

Urbicus was a 22-year-old "secutor" gladiator in the 2nd Century AD who won 13 fights in the arena at Mediolanum (Milan) before being apparently murdered by a man he had defeated. 

His wife Laurica erected a funeral stele to him and his daughters Olympia (who lived only five months) and Fortuna. 

The bas-relief on the stele showed him holding a sword and shield with his faithful dog at his feet.

The stele inscription provides all these facts and ends with the words: "I warn you to kill those whom you have defeated!"