Scientists have just discovered what may be an ancient graveyard for Roman gladiators, according to a report being circulated by BBC. The grave was discovered in the ancient Roman city of Ephesus in Turkey, with scientists now analyzing the bones to gain insight into how these fighters fought, lived, and died. No evidence has been found on whether Maximus or Proximo were among those buried....much less Commodus.

This discovery was announced in conclusion to studies being conducted by pathologists Professor Karl Grossschmidt and Professor Fabian Kanz of the Medical University of Vienna. According to the pair, their five-year-long study has found 67 individuals, aged between 20 to 30, all with various healed wounds - one body even indicated signs of medical amputation.

The pair further suggested that the individuals were probably prized fighters - and that they had received extensive medical attention to ensure they stayed fighting fit (no pun intended).

Their study also uncovered indications of unhealed wounds on bones, which indicated some of the gladiators had either died, or were executed upon losing. Among the more recurring execution styles the researchers imagined was where a defeated fighter would kneel, while a sword was rammed through down his throat into the heart.

Another execution style found in the study noted three holes in the victim's skull, which implied a trident thrust. There were also signs of rectangular holes in other skulls, which matched the impressions made by a heavy hammer. As Kanz stated regarding these victims:

I assume that they must have been very severely injured gladiators, ones who had fought outstandingly and so had not been condemned to death by the public or by the organiser of the match, but who had no chance of surviving because of their injuries. It was basically the final blow, in order to release them.