HIS name is Tony Barnatt Jose. But you can call him Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the armies of Gilesgate.

Mr Jose, a 66-year-old retired lorry driver, was no more interested in ancient Rome than anyone else until he saw the hit film Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe.

Now he has devoted himself to recreating the Empire – pouring over books and watching films on the subject, making pilgrimages to Rome, wearing Roman armour and even transforming his home.

The front door of his terraced home, in Gilesgate, Durham City, bears the nameplate Rome and the house number is in Roman numerals.

The walls of his front room are covered in pictures, cuttings, shields, helmets and masks.

RUSSELL CROWE
Film highlight: Starred in Gladiator.
Status: Multi-millionaire screen heart-throb, married to Australian singer and actress Danielle Spencer.
Lives: On a 320-hectare estate in New South Wales, Australia.
Trivia: Infamous for his bad temper.
Next role: Robin Hood, due for release this year.
TONY BARNATT JOSE
Film highlight: Watched Gladiator.
Status: Retired lorry driver, single.
Lives: In a terraced house in Gilesgate.
Trivia: Loves spending time with grandson Lewis.
Next role: Available for charity gigs.

His desk is a production line for homemade scrolls, armour and his next weapon, although the law prevents him from carrying a real sword.

Wearing his full Lorica Segmentata battle gear, his shield in one hand, standard in the other, Mr Jose said: “It all started when I saw the film Gladiator. Then I read the book Hannibal, about him crossing the Alps. It was the first time in my life I’d read a book.

“Then I started going to the library and reading about Roman history. Then I started going to the Roman forts and collecting antiquities.

“It built up from there. It’s just got worse and worse. I just love the Romans. They were here 400 years ago and they left us such a legacy. All over the world, even now, Rome carries on – even in America, with the Senate.

“It’s really over the top now.

Everybody knows me as Maximus Decimus Meridius. Lots of people think I’m mad. But, so what, as long as it doesn’t harm anybody. I really enjoy it.

“The clothes and the armour look really great. I feel good when I’ve got it on.”

Mr Jose estimates his Roman obsession now takes up three-quarters of his time; and he admits he cannot resist buying Roman items, but said: “Really, I’m just getting started.”

The grandfather-of-one is now offering to attend events and parties in his Roman costume, to raise cash for charity.