The untold story of the gladiator and one of Britain's most remarkable archaeological finds

The horror and drama of Roman gladiatorial combat still fascinates the public  - and has done so for centuries. That fascination is symbolized by books, films - and paintings, such as this one by the 19th century French artist, Jean-Léon Gérôme. - (Phoenix Art Museum)

New research is revealing the remarkable story of one of Britain’s most enigmatic archaeological finds - a Roman gladiator helmet, discovered buried in a field in East Anglia.

The artefact, which will feature in a major British Museum travelling exhibition on gladiators in Britain, being launched later in January, was found by a farmer out ploughing his land near the village of Hawkedon, Essex, back in 1965 - but it's only now that scientists and historians have begun investigating it in detail.