Gladiators Weapons/Armor
Gladiator weapons were not just taken from the Romans, but from all the nations that they conquered. The Roman crowd of spectators in the Colosseum enjoyed being reminded of Roman conquests and loved any gladiatorial fights that provided some sort of novelty. Gladiators usually fought with the trident and net as a very deadly combo.
Here is a list if gladiator weapons
Arcus: Bow and Sagitta an arrow
Contus: (Pike or lance)
Acinaces: Single edged cavalry sword
Fascina: Tridents, harpoons
Gladius: Straight Sword
Gladius Graecus: Leaf shaped sword
Hasta: Spear for thrusting
Iaculum: Casting net
Lancea: short javelin, or spear
Parmula: Small, light shield
Pilum: Long, heavy throwing spear
Plumbatae or martiobarbuli (lead-weighted darts)
Pompeianus: Curved Sword
Pugnum: Small shield used for thrusting
Pugio: Dagger
Sagitta: Arrows
Semispathae: Half-swords
Sica: Short, curved sword or scimitar
Spatha: Long broadsword
Verutum: Short, light throwing spear
The pairing of gladiators in the arenas were important and ironically the Romans expected to see 'fair play' in the gladiatorial fights. Matched pairs of Roman gladiators of would ensure that one fighter was hampered by heavy armor whilst the other Gladiator had only minimal armor which allowed freedom of movement. There were at least 26 different types of gladiator who specialized in using specific weapons, armor and shields. Shields were used not only as a protective element but also for pushing and attacking an opponent. Roman Gladiator Armor was there linked with the weapons that they used.
Here is a list of gladiator armor
Balteus: (sword belt)
Cetratus - Light Shield
Clipeus - Large, oval body shield
Fascia: Protective leg padding
Galea: Visored helmet
Galerus: Shoulder guard
Greave: Leg armor
Kalkriese: Face armor
Spangenhelm - Highly Protective German helmet
Cuirass - Breastplate
Lorica hamata: Ring-mail armor
Lorica squamata: Scale, or plate, armour
Manica (pl.manicae): Protective arm wraps
Ocrea: Leg guard
Parmula: Small, light shield
Parma equestris: Medium-sized, round, cavalry shield
Scutum: Large Shield
Thorax Hamata - Chain mail
Cingulum - a wide leather belt
Spongia - Small breast plate
Here is a list if gladiator weapons
Arcus: Bow and Sagitta an arrow
Contus: (Pike or lance)
Acinaces: Single edged cavalry sword
Fascina: Tridents, harpoons
Gladius: Straight Sword
Gladius Graecus: Leaf shaped sword
Hasta: Spear for thrusting
Iaculum: Casting net
Lancea: short javelin, or spear
Parmula: Small, light shield
Pilum: Long, heavy throwing spear
Plumbatae or martiobarbuli (lead-weighted darts)
Pompeianus: Curved Sword
Pugnum: Small shield used for thrusting
Pugio: Dagger
Sagitta: Arrows
Semispathae: Half-swords
Sica: Short, curved sword or scimitar
Spatha: Long broadsword
Verutum: Short, light throwing spear
The pairing of gladiators in the arenas were important and ironically the Romans expected to see 'fair play' in the gladiatorial fights. Matched pairs of Roman gladiators of would ensure that one fighter was hampered by heavy armor whilst the other Gladiator had only minimal armor which allowed freedom of movement. There were at least 26 different types of gladiator who specialized in using specific weapons, armor and shields. Shields were used not only as a protective element but also for pushing and attacking an opponent. Roman Gladiator Armor was there linked with the weapons that they used.
Here is a list of gladiator armor
Balteus: (sword belt)
Cetratus - Light Shield
Clipeus - Large, oval body shield
Fascia: Protective leg padding
Galea: Visored helmet
Galerus: Shoulder guard
Greave: Leg armor
Kalkriese: Face armor
Spangenhelm - Highly Protective German helmet
Cuirass - Breastplate
Lorica hamata: Ring-mail armor
Lorica squamata: Scale, or plate, armour
Manica (pl.manicae): Protective arm wraps
Ocrea: Leg guard
Parmula: Small, light shield
Parma equestris: Medium-sized, round, cavalry shield
Scutum: Large Shield
Thorax Hamata - Chain mail
Cingulum - a wide leather belt
Spongia - Small breast plate