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Message:: [QUOTE="Ardatirion, post: 1627944, member: 9204"]With the recent influx of new collectors to this section, there will likely be a bit of confusion about who is who. So I figured we could start this thread out as a sort of roster. Post a bit about yourself and what you collect. My real name is Bill. I started collecting ancients about five years ago. After graduating college with a double major in archaeology and history, where I wrote my undergrad thesis on Roman tesserae, I went to work for CNG as a cataloger. In the meantime, I've been patiently collecting and researching tesserae. My collection now has about 135 pieces (with about 30 more uncataloged). <img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18271/normal_Y04290.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> ROME PB Tessera (13mm, 3.30 g, 12 h) Facing head of Medusa Bestiarius standing facing, holding net and spear Rostowzew 589 = Kircheriano 1167 The Roman bestiarii were arena fighters who fought against animals while wielding the spear and net. While professional schools for this role eventually developed, most animal fighters were condemned prisoners who barely survived a single match. They should be distinguished from the traditional gladiatiores, who fought only other men. It was in the role of bestiarius that Commodus won his arena fame and Herculean title. [/QUOTE]