The article presents a philological analysis of M. Yu. Lermontov’s poem "The Dying Gladiator". Line-by-line and comparative analysis, as well as the methods of "reference points" and slow reading are used. The study reveals the role of rhythm in expressing the subtext of the work and holding a dialogue with the reader. Rhythmic and verbal-figurative chiasmus is considered as the leading compositional device. It plays the role of an iconic sign recreating the image of the concentric bowl of the Roman Colosseum arena, which, in turn, performs the function of a symbol conveying the idea of the mutual reversibility of the roles of victims and killers. Based on the philological analysis data, the paper refutes the popular opinion about the secondariness and artificial nature of the second part of the poem. In it, just like in the first part, the idea of the destructive influence of passions and violations of the moral imperative on the history of mankind is put forward. The article argues that the artistic harmony image created by the exquisite rhythm and perfect form of the poem is an iconic reference to the Truth and Beauty revealed in Christ and the Moral Law.