Fighting Styles of Gladiators

[Deleted]

Gladiator Fighting Styles

To please the crowds and for the glory of Rome, gladiators fought on the sands of the arena! Each fighter was trained in a type of combat that was most fitting to their body type, speed, and skill. Below is a list of information on the known fighting styles, the attire that went with it, weapons used, and the names of each! Also listed, is a list of gladiators from the show that used this style, for your reference. You can also look at this post on Tumblr to see visual examples.

Dimachaerus: The type of gladiator who wielded dual swords, with no shield. They are lightly armed with leather leg wrappings only. This is a style only used by great swordsmen, for close combat. (Gladiators: Gannicus, Oenomaus, Spartacus, Theokoles)

Hoplomachus: A gladiator fighting style representing the Greek, Illyrian and Carthage enemies of Rome. In combat they used a Dory (7–8 foot long spear), a Pugio (dagger) or Gladius Graecus (short sword). They carried a round shield. They wore a cotton or metal arm guard, and a iron iron helmet. (Gladiators: Auctus, Barca)

Murmillo: The most popular is a gladiator fighting style that represents the Roman legion. The Murmillo is armed with a sword and wooden rectangular shield. They wear a leather belt with metal decorations, arm guard made of leather or some metal alloys, a large helmet, and shin guard/protectors. The Murmillo fighting style was suited for men with large muscular arms and strong heavy shoulders needed to help him carry the weight of his shield and sword. (Gladiators: Abiron, Agron, Arkadios, Bebryx, Caburus, Crixus, Dagan, Lysimachus, Oenomaus, Strabo)

Retiarius: Is a gladiator fighting style that is fought with weapons styled on the tools of a fisherman. They use weapons such as a trident or Rete (thick weighted net), and a smaller dagger. They wore no helmet or heavy armor and used more tactics that avoided close combat. (Gladiators: Gnaeus, Septimus)

Samnite: Is an older style of gladiator fighting, that mirrored the Samnium style of fighting. Samnite is armed with a Roman short sword, a large shield, a left leg guard and a plumed helmet. (Gladiator: Mycter, Arkadios)

Secutor: Is a gladiator fighting style similar to the Murmillo, that was designed to fight against the Retiarius. They did this by editing the Murmillo armor to have a helmet design were intended to defend against a Retiarius' weapons; the small eye holes protected against the prongs of a trident, while the smooth crest on top and 'fin' around the back of the neck prevented a net from easily snagging. They also weilded an aex, rather then a sword. Men trained in this style had to be very fast in motion and in kill. (Gladiators: Adrianus, Duratius, Duro, Hasdrubal)

Thraex: Is a gladiator fighting style representing the Thracians. They are rmed with sica (curved thrusting sword), rectangular shield, cotton or metal segments tied onto the striking arm for protection, and a helmet. (Gladiators: Ashur, Drapaes, Gnaeus, Pericles, Spartacus)

For more information on body types of fighters, and imagines of clothing with descriptions if why they wore what they did you can check out [this] link, or watch the above listed gladiators in battle!