There were several forms of entertainment offered to the public but the most enduring images are those of the gladiators.
Gladiators could be slaves, prisoners of war, prisoners condemned to death or even women. Each gladiator signed a contract in which he abandoned his status as a free man for the period of his commitment, and submitted to the authority of the owner of a gladiator troop. Gradually the gladatorial combats turned into carnage and it was common for the spectators themselves to come to blows. Gladiators were finally outlawed in 404 AD. |
Samnite or Secutor
This is the oldest gladiator form. He was heavily armed with a helmet, a long shield, a left greave and a sword.
The face was completely hidden by a visor with two eye holes. Then the holes increased in number, resembling a grill. The arm that held the sword was almost always protected, from the shoulder to the hand, by the manica. His shield was curved, almost semi-cylindrical, and quite long with a hump in the middle. His left leg was protected by a greave. Secutor translates into “the pursuer” due to his attacking tactics. He followed his opponent and fought hand to hand with him. This was the only way that he could win with the weapons he had. |
Thracian
This gladiator was lightly armed; he carried a small square or rectangular shield that was sometimes circular or triangular, although these shapes were rare. Armed with a short sword, he protected both his legs with greaves. His helmet was identical to the Samnite’s.
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Retiarius
This gladiator's head was uncovered, and he was armed with a net (rete in Latin, which is where his name came from), a trident, a dagger and the manica which he used to protect his right arm.
With his light weapons, he tried to keep his adversary at some distance: he had to keep sufficient space in between them to be able to turn his net and throw it on the enemy. The aim of his combat was to prevent the adversary from getting too near and risking too close a combat. |