A spectacular fresco depicting blood-soaked gladiators in combat has been found in the remains of a Pompeii tavern where the hardened fighters of the Roman Empire would have drunk wine and solicited prostitutes.

In an image that evokes Spartacus and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator film, the colourful fresco shows one of the gladiators begging for mercy in what could have been the final moments of his life.

His right hand is raised with a finger outstretched, the traditional way in which fighters in the arena appealed for clemency from the emperor or whichever Roman consul was officiating the gladiatorial contest.

The battle, for him, is clearly over – his shield has clattered to the ground and he cringes in fear from his muscular opponent, who clutches a stabbing sword ready to deliver the coup-de-grace. Blood pours from gashes in his chest and arm.

The gladiators are of two distinct types. The victorious one on the left is a “murmillo”, who was armed with a short sword, padded or metal guard on his sword arm, a rectangular shield and a full full-face helmet.