The Hawkedon helmet - and the gladiatorial ethos it represented - was almost certainly worn by a leading 1st century gladiator who would have been watched by senior members of the empire's elite.

The bronze helmet survived the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and was worn by a heavily armoured gladiator called a "murmillo". The exhibition "A Day in Pompeii" goes on display June 26, 2009.