Download Rome Gladiators Gladiator Descriptions

Provocatores - (Challengers Protected by a Breastplate)
History, Facts and Information about the Provocatores
Gladiators were divided into different classes according to their weapons and fighting styles. There
were strict rules and protocol surrounding the fights of gladiators. A gladiatorial fight would usually
involve two gladiators but similar types of gladiators such as the Provocatores, would not normally
fight each other. The first Roman Gladiators were prisoners of war and used the weapons and
equipment characteristic of their people. The early enemies of Rome included the Samnites, the
Thracians and the Gauls (Gallus) and gladiators were named according to their ethnic roots. This
changed over the years and the names of the different types of gladiators reflected their combat
techniques such as Secutores (chasers), Bestiarii (beast fighters) and Retiarius (net fighters).
Gladiators were always clothed and armed to resemble barbarians with unusual and exotic weapons
and their fights depicted famous victories over barbarians and the power of the Roman Empire.
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Definition: The Provocatores (meaning 'challenger') were a type of Roman gladiator who
'challenged' other Provocatores in combat
Opponent: This type of gladiator only fought with another Provocator
Helmet - The Provocatores were recognisable by their armor and weapons and easily
distinguished by a helmet without crest called a Provocator Galea (helmet) and he was the
only gladiator to have effective protection for the upper body in the form of a rectangular
breastplate
Weapons: This type of gladiator fought with a sword (the gladius)
Body Armor and helmet worn by this type of gladiator: A Spongia was a small chest plate
formed of a single piece of metal, or other rigid material, which covered the chest of the
gladiator. He wore an Ocrea, or metal greave, on the lower left leg. His right arm and wrist
was protected by a manica of tied linen or leather
Shield: They used the scutum, a rectangular, semi-cylindrical body shield
Clothing worn: Canvas Loin Cloth (subligaculum) worn in a variety of colors, sandals or
barefoot
Eques - (Horseback And Sword Gladiators)
History, Facts and Information about the Eques
Gladiators were divided into different classes according to their weapons and fighting styles. There
were strict rules and protocol surrounding the fights of gladiators. A gladiatorial fight would usually
involve two gladiators but similar types of gladiators such as the Eques, would not normally fight
each other. The first Roman Gladiators were prisoners of war and used the weapons and equipment
characteristic of their people. The early enemies of Rome included the Samnites, the Thracians and
the Gauls (Gallus) and gladiators were named according to their ethnic roots. This changed over the
years and the names of the different types of gladiators reflected their combat techniques such as
Secutores (chasers), Bestiarii (beast fighters) and Retiarius (net fighters). Gladiators were always
clothed and armed to resemble barbarians with unusual and exotic weapons and their fights depicted
famous victories over barbarians and the power of the Roman Empire. The Eques gladiator is also
referred to in the plural as Equites, but this does get confused with one of the two upper social
classes of Rome who are also called Equites.
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Definition: The Eques was a horseman, or an equestrian (Latin eques, plural equites)
Opponent: This type of gladiator only fought with other equites
Weapons: This type of gladiator fought with a lance (the lancea) or a verutum which was a
short, light throwing spear and a sword (the gladius) or a long straight sword with single or
double edge called a spatha
Body Armor and helmet worn by this type of gladiator: The Galea, a visored helmet, without
a decorative crest, in place of which there were at least two feathers such as those taken from
the ostrich, parrot, peacock or eagle. They were also known to wear an arm-guard (manica)
Shield: A medium-sized, round, cavalry shield (parma equestris) or a large oval body-shield
called a Clipeus
Clothing worn: The Equites wore shirt-like, belted, sleeveless tunics (tunica). The sword belt
was called a Balteus
The Role of the Eques (pl. Equites)
There were therefore many different types of gladiator, including the Eques, who specialised in
using specific weapons, armor and shields and applying different combat styles and tactics. The role
of the eques was that of a horsemen. The equites were the first to compete in the day's schedule of
gladiatorial games. These Gladiators were lightly armored as their role required agility. The equites
entered the arena on horseback. Their opponents were other equites and their first round of combat
would involve throwing a (lancea) or a verutum which was a short, light throwing spear. The eques
would then quickly dismount and continue to fight on foot with their short sword (gladius), a 27
inch short straight sword.
Samnites - (Large Shields and Plumed Helmets)
History, Facts and Information about the Samnites
Gladiators were divided into different classes according to their weapons and fighting styles. There were strict rules
and protocol surrounding the fights of gladiators. A gladiatorial fight would usually involve two gladiators but
similar types of gladiators such as the Samnites, would not normally fight each other. The first Roman Gladiators
were prisoners of war and used the weapons and equipment characteristic of their people. The early enemies of
Rome included the Samnites, the Thracians and the Gauls (Gallus) and gladiators were named according to their
ethnic roots. This changed over the years and the names of the different types of gladiators reflected their combat
techniques such as Secutores (chasers), Bestiarii (beast fighters) and Retiarius (net fighters). Gladiators were always
clothed and armed to resemble barbarians with unusual and exotic weapons and their fights depicted famous
victories over barbarians and the power of the Roman Empire. The Samnites were warriors from Samnium.
Samnium was located in south central Italy. The Samnite Wars ended in the Roman domination of the Samnites. The
Samnites were some of the earliest gladiators who appeared in the Roman games shortly after the defeat of Samnium
in the 4th century BC. The Samnite evolved into the Secutores, once the Samnites had been absorbed into the
Roman state.
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Samnites were some of the earliest types of gladiators and may have been the model for the later as
Hoplomachus, Secutores and Murmillones.
During the period of the Roman Republic "heavy" fighters were termed as Samnites
Helmet - The Samnites were recognisable by their armor and weapons and easily distinguished by a helmet
with a plumed crest. This visored helmet (galea) had a large crest and plume
Opponent: This type of gladiator usually fought with a Retiarius (pl. Retiarii meaning "net-man" or "netfighter") who was a Roman gladiator who fought with equipment styled on that of a fisherman. The Retiarius
(Retiarii) were lightly armored so they had the advantage of agility, mobility and speed.
Weapons: The Samnite gladiator fought with a sword (the gladius). The Gladius was the 27 inch short
straight sword, broad towards the handle, after which the gladiator was named. The gladius was designed to
thrust and parry rather than to cut and slice.
Body Armor and helmet worn by this type of gladiator: He wore an Ocrea, or metal greave, on the lower left
leg. His right arm and wrist was protected by a manica of tied linen or leather
Shield: The earliest Samnites used the scutum, a rectangular, semi-cylindrical body shield but as time passed
this was replaced by a small circular shield called a parmula
Clothing worn: Canvas Loin Cloth (subligaculum) worn in a variety of colors, sandals or barefoot
Samnites - Matched Pairs
Combats between similarly armored gladiators would demonstrate superior skills when gladiators were fighting
against equally armed opponents. However, contrasting types of fighters were also carefully selected in order to
achieve a reasonably fair pairing. Matched pairs of gladiators of would ensure that one fighter was hampered by
heavy armor whilst the other was lightly armed. One gladiator might have freedom of movement but with little to
nothing to protect him, whereas the other gladiator might be more heavily armed and protected but restricted in his
movements by his equipment. There were therefore many different types of gladiator, including the Samnites, who
specialised in using specific weapons, armor and shields.
Hoplomachi - (Armed Fighters)
History, Facts and Information about the Hoplomachi
Gladiators were divided into different classes according to their weapons and fighting styles. There were strict rules
and protocol surrounding the fights of gladiators. A gladiatorial fight would usually involve two gladiators but
similar types of gladiators such as the Hoplomachi, would not normally fight each other. The first Roman Gladiators
were prisoners of war and used the weapons and equipment characteristic of their people. The early enemies of
Rome included the Samnites, the Thracians and the Gauls (Gallus) and gladiators were named according to their
ethnic roots. This changed over the years and the names of the different types of gladiators reflected their combat
techniques such as Secutores (chasers), Bestiarii (beast fighters) and Retiarius (net fighters). Gladiators were always
clothed and armed to resemble barbarians with unusual and exotic weapons and their fights depicted famous
victories over barbarians and the power of the Roman Empire.
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Definition: The word ‘hoplomachus’ derives from the Greek words meaning ‘heavily armed’. The
Hoplomachi gladiator originated from the Hellenic warriors called the ‘hoplites’. Well built gladiators,
heavily armored and therefore slow
During the period of the Roman Republic "heavy" fighters were termed Samnites and in the Empire Period
they became known as Hoplomachus
Opponent: This type of gladiator fought with similarly heavily armored gladiators. The Hoplomachi was
limited in his speed because of the weight of his heavy armor so combats against lightly armored and speedy
opponent gladiators would have been interesting to the Romans. Often matched against the murmillo
Weapons: This type of gladiator fought with a sword (the gladius). The Gladius was the 27 inch short straight
sword, broad towards the handle, after which the gladiator was named. The gladius was designed to thrust
and parry rather than to cut and slice. The Gladius Graecus was a leaf-shaped short sword originally used by
the Greek hoplites and also used by Hoplomachus gladiators. A dagger called a pugio or a semispathae or
half-swords might also be one of this gladiator's weapons. The Hoplomachi also carried a lance (hasta). The
hasta was not thrown, it was used for thrusting and approximately six feet in length.
The gladiators who used the gladius sword were those who were armed with body-shields such as the
secutor, myrmillo, hoplomachus and the dimacheris.
Body Armor and helmet worn by this type of gladiator: Protected by a Galea visored helmet with a massive
crest ridge. He wore an Ocrea, or metal greave, on the lower left leg. His right arm and wrist was protected
by a manica of tied linen or leather
Shield: Hoplomachi carried a Parmula which was was a small, light bronze shield, usually round but
occasionally square. They were also believed to have used the scutum, a rectangular, semi-cylindrical body
shield
Clothing worn: Canvas Loin Cloth (subligaculum) worn in a variety of colors, sandals or barefoot
Hoplomachi - Matched Pairs
Combats between similarly armored gladiators would demonstrate superior skills when gladiators were fighting
against equally armed opponents. However, contrasting types of fighters were also carefully selected in order to
achieve a reasonably fair pairing. Matched pairs of gladiators of would ensure that one fighter was hampered by
heavy armor whilst the other was lightly armed. One gladiator might have freedom of movement but with little to
nothing to protect him, whereas the other gladiator might be more heavily armed and protected but restricted in his
movements by his equipment. There were therefore many different types of gladiator, including the Hoplomachi,
who specialised in using specific weapons, armor and shields.
Thracian - (Thrax, Curved Sword)
History, Facts and Information about the Thracian
Gladiators were divided into different classes according to their weapons and fighting styles. There were strict rules
and protocol surrounding the fights of gladiators. A gladiatorial fight would usually involve two gladiators but
similar types of gladiators such as the Thracian, would not normally fight each other. The first Roman Gladiators
were prisoners of war and used the weapons and equipment characteristic of their people. The early enemies of
Rome included the Samnites, the Thracians and the Gauls (Gallus) and gladiators were named according to their
ethnic roots. This changed over the years and the names of the different types of gladiators reflected their combat
techniques such as Secutores (chasers), Bestiarii (beast fighters) and Retiarius (net fighters). Gladiators were always
clothed and armed to resemble barbarians with unusual and exotic weapons and their fights depicted famous
victories over barbarians and the power of the Roman Empire. The Thracian gladiators were so named because they
resembled fighters from Thrace which was a region of northern Greece and one of the earliest enemies of Rome.
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Definition: The Thracian was a lightly armed Roman gladiator
Opponent: This type of gladiator fought with the Murmillones and the Hoplomachi.
Weapons: This type of gladiator fought with a curved sword (siccae). The sica, or siccae, was a curved
scimitar, a short, curved sword, with a blade about 16-18 inches long commonly used by both the Thracian
gladiator and the Dimachaerus This was a strong slashing weapon
The helmet of the Thracian had a tall crest (crista) with a distinctive griffin. The helmet had a wide brim and
a visor to cover the face. Feathers were also used to decorate his helmet
Body Armor worn by this type of gladiator: The Thracian wore a manica of tied linen or leather to protect his
sword arm. He also had padded leg protection over which he wore a pair of high greaves which ended above
his upper thigh
Shield: A circular or quadrangular small shield (parmula)
Clothing worn: Canvas Loin Cloth (subligaculum) worn in a variety of colors, sandals or barefoot
Thracian - Matched Pairs
Combats between similarly armored gladiators would demonstrate superior skills when gladiators were fighting
against equally armed opponents. However, contrasting types of fighters were also carefully selected in order to
achieve a reasonably fair pairing. Matched pairs of gladiators of would ensure that one fighter was hampered by
heavy armor whilst the other was lightly armed. One gladiator might have freedom of movement but with little to
nothing to protect him, whereas the other gladiator might be more heavily armed and protected but restricted in his
movements by his equipment. There were therefore many different types of gladiator, including the Thracian, who
specialised in using specific weapons, armor and shields.
Murmillones - (The Fish-Men)
History, Facts and Information about the Murmillones
Gladiators were divided into different classes according to their weapons and fighting styles. There were strict rules
and protocol surrounding the fights of gladiators. A gladiatorial fight would usually involve two gladiators but
similar types of gladiators such as the Murmillones, would not normally fight each other. The first Roman Gladiators
were prisoners of war and used the weapons and equipment characteristic of their people. The early enemies of
Rome included the Samnites, the Thracians and the Gauls (Gallus) and gladiators were named according to their
ethnic roots. This changed over the years and the names of the different types of gladiators reflected their combat
techniques such as Secutores (chasers), Bestiarii (beast fighters) and Retiarius (net fighters). Gladiators were always
clothed and armed to resemble barbarians with unusual and exotic weapons and their fights depicted famous
victories over barbarians and the power of the Roman Empire. The Murmillones symbolised Vulcan the God of Fire.
History and Origins of the Murmilliones
The Romans enjoyed the spectacle of watching the fighting styles of their defeated enemies. But the Murmillones, a
variety of the Secutores, emerged to fight the Retiarius gladiator. The Retiarii used the trident as a weapon which
was also well known as s symbol and weapon of Neptune, the God of the Sea. The Murmillo (meaning 'the one
following'), symbolised Vulcan the God of Fire, because fire always pursues. A fight symbolising the opposites of
fire and water. The Murmillo was a variation of the Secutores gladiators.
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Definition: The Murmillones was a type of Roman Gladiator. The Murmillones evolved as a gladiator in
order to fight the Retiarii (net-fighter) and wore a helmet with a stylized fish on the crest (the mormylos or
sea fish) from where his name derives
Opponent: This type of gladiator usually fought with a Retiarius (pl. Retiarii meaning "net-man" or "netfighter") who was a Roman gladiator who fought with equipment styled on that of a fisherman. The Retiarius
(Retiarii) were lightly armored so they had the advantage of agility, mobility and speed.
Murmillo Galea Helmet - The Murmillones wore a helmet with a stylized fish on the crest (the mormylos or
sea fish)
Weapons: This type of gladiator fought with a sword (first the the gladius which was eventually replaced by
the Spatha). The gladiators who used the gladius were those who were armed with body-shields such as the
secutor, hoplomachus and the dimacheris.
Body Armor and helmet worn by this type of gladiator: He wore an Ocrea, or metal greave, on the lower left
leg. His right arm and wrist was protected by a manica of tied linen or leather
The purpose of the small eye-holes in the helmets of the opponents of the Retarius was to prevent the narrow
prongs of the retiarius' trident from penetrating to the eyes .
Shield: The Murmillones carried a large, rectangular, semi-cylindrical body shield called a scutum
Clothing worn: Canvas Loin Cloth (subligaculum) worn in a variety of colors, sandals or barefoot
Murmillones - Matched Pairs
Combats between similarly armored gladiators would demonstrate superior skills when gladiators were fighting
against equally armed opponents. However, contrasting types of fighters were also carefully selected in order to
achieve a reasonably fair pairing. Matched pairs of gladiators of would ensure that one fighter was hampered by
heavy armor whilst the other was lightly armed. One gladiator might have freedom of movement but with little to
nothing to protect him, whereas the other gladiator might be more heavily armed and protected but restricted in his
movements by his equipment. There were therefore many different types of gladiator, including the Murmillones,
who specialised in using specific weapons, armor and shields.
Secutores - (Two Small Eye-Holes in Helmet)
History, Facts and Information about the Secutores
Gladiators were divided into different classes according to their weapons and fighting styles. There were strict rules
and protocol surrounding the fights of gladiators. A gladiatorial fight would usually involve two gladiators but
similar types of gladiators such as the Secutores, would not normally fight each other. The first Roman Gladiators
were prisoners of war and used the weapons and equipment characteristic of their people. The early enemies of
Rome included the Samnites, the Thracians and the Gauls (Gallus) and gladiators were named according to their
ethnic roots. This changed over the years and the names of the different types of gladiators reflected their combat
techniques such as Secutores (chasers), Bestiarii (beast fighters) and Retiarius (net fighters). Gladiators were always
clothed and armed to resemble barbarians with unusual and exotic weapons and their fights depicted famous
victories over barbarians and the power of the Roman Empire. The Secutor (meaning 'the one following') symbolised
Vulcan the God of Fire, because fire always pursues. The Secutores evolved from one of the first types of gladiators
called the Samnites.
History and Origins of the Secutores
The Romans enjoyed the spectacle of watching the fighting styles of their defeated enemies. But the Secutores, a
variety of the Murmillones, emerged to fight the Retiarius gladiator. The Retiarii used the trident as a weapon which
was also well known as s symbol and weapon of Neptune, the God of the Sea. The Secutor (meaning 'the one
following'), symbolised Vulcan the God of Fire. A fight symbolising the opposites of fire and water.
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Definition: The Secutores was a type of Roman Gladiator. The gladiator "Secutor" (meaning 'chaser' ) got his
name from his fighting technique
The Secutores wore a smooth, round, close-fitting helmet that minimized it being caught by the Retiarius'
net. The helmet also had two small round eye holes.
Opponent: This type of gladiator usually fought with a Retiarius (pl. Retiarii meaning "net-man" or "netfighter") who was a Roman gladiator who fought with equipment styled on that of a fisherman. The Retiarius
(Retiarii) were lightly armored so they had the advantage of agility, mobility and speed
Weapons: This type of gladiator fought with a sword (first the the gladius which was eventually replaced by
the Spatha)
Body Armor worn by this type of gladiator: He wore an Ocrea, or metal greave, on the lower left leg. His
right arm and wrist was protected by a manica of tied linen or leather
The purpose of the small eye-holes in the helmets of the opponents of the Retarius was to prevent the narrow
prongs of the retiarius' trident from penetrating to the eyes
Shield: The Secutores carried a large, rectangular, semi-cylindrical body shield called a scutum
Clothing worn: Canvas Loin Cloth (subligaculum) worn in a variety of colors, sandals or barefoot
Secutores - Matched Pairs
Combats between similarly armored gladiators would demonstrate superior skills when gladiators were fighting
against equally armed opponents. However, contrasting types of fighters were also carefully selected in order to
achieve a reasonably fair pairing. Matched pairs of gladiators of would ensure that one fighter was hampered by
heavy armor whilst the other was lightly armed. One gladiator might have freedom of movement but with little to
nothing to protect him, whereas the other gladiator might be more heavily armed and protected but restricted in his
movements by his equipment. There were therefore many different types of gladiator, including the Secutores, who
specialised in using specific weapons, armor and shields.
Retiarii - (Net Fighters)
History, Facts and Information about the Retiarii
Gladiators were divided into different classes according to their weapons and fighting styles. There were strict rules
and protocol surrounding the fights of gladiators. A gladiatorial fight would usually involve two gladiators but
similar types of gladiators such as the Retiarii, would not normally fight each other. The first Roman Gladiators
were prisoners of war and used the weapons and equipment characteristic of their people. The early enemies of
Rome included the Samnites, the Thracians and the Gauls (Gallus) and gladiators were named according to their
ethnic roots. This changed over the years and the names of the different types of gladiators reflected their combat
techniques such as Secutores (chasers), Bestiarii (beast fighters) and Retiarius (net fighters). Gladiators were always
clothed and armed to resemble barbarians with unusual and exotic weapons and their fights depicted famous
victories over barbarians and the power of the Roman Empire. In the movie Spartacus Kirk Douglas assumes the
role of a Thracian and is matched against a Retiarii played by the actor Woody Strode.
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Definition: A Retiarius (pl. Retiarii meaning "net-man" or "net-fighter") was a Roman gladiator who fought
with equipment styled on that of a fisherman
The Retiarius (Retiarii) were lightly armored so they had the advantage of agility, mobility and speed.
Unlike other gladiators, except the similar Laquerarii, they wore no helmets and had no form of anonymity there faces were on view to everyone
Opponent: This type of gladiator fought with the heavily armed gladiators such as the secutor or a mirmillo
The Secutores or Murmillones wore a helmet with a stylized fish on the crest (the mormylos or sea fish)
The symbolism between the Retiarius against the Secutores or Murmillones represented the fisherman and
his prey, the fish
His fighting technique was evasive and his tactics were to entangle his opponent with his net and then skewer
him as a fisherman with his trident
Weapons: This type of gladiator fought with a a weighted net called a 'rete' a three-pointed trident called a
fuscina or tridens) and a dagger called a pugio. The Fascina were long, three-pronged, metal tridents
(harpoons)
The spacing between the prongs of the tridents varied - they were sometimes spaced in order to stab through
the eyes of their opponents or used to wrench the sword from his opponent
The purpose of the small eye-holes in the helmets of the opponents of the Retarius was to prevent the narrow
prongs of the retiarius' trident from penetrating to the eyes
Body Armor and helmet worn by this type of gladiator: The Retiarius fought without a helmet and no body
armor other than a "Galerus" which a distinctive metal shoulder guard fashioned so that the neck and head
were protected but the head movements of the Retiarii were unrestricted.
Shield: None
The Latin word 'Iaculum' was a generic term for all weapons to be flung at the enemy, such as nets, lassos,
javelins and slings
Clothing worn: Net-men wearing tunics, known as retiarii tunicati and wore sandals or went barefoot
Retiarii Weapons - The Net or 'Rete'
The rete used by the retiarius was made of strong hemp-rope, with small blades or leaden balance weights attached
to the sides. When the circular shaped net was thrown the weights enables a spreading effect. There was a stronger
thread running round the perimeter of the net (rete) enabling the Retiarii to tighten it around his opponent. The net
was fastened to the wrist of the Retiarii with a separate thread to make retrieval easier.