IMPERATORIVS LVDVS GLADIATORE

Weapons of the Gladiators

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Secutor vs. Retiarius
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Picture by Martin the Basher from Brittainia

Galea: Helmet, made of bronze.
Manica: Arm-guard, could be made of quilted linen, leather, or metal.
Subligaculum: Loincloth.
Ocrea: Greaves, made of bronze.
Scutum: Shield
Gladius: Short sword
Pugio: Dagger
Hasta: Spear
Fuscina: Trident
Inretire: Net
 
A ludus requirement: Athletic Cup

The weapons and armor used by the gladiators were modeled after the type of people they are portraying as well as what the army was using at the time.  Now even though the army used a short sword, the sword seen used by gladiators in almost every moasic, relief, and depiction is seems shorter than that used by the army around 30cm.  Now this could be due to the fact that the Romans had a horrible time conveying proportions or it could be because they did use smaller weapons.  The "daggers" found at the gladiator school in Pompeii were 19.5 to 29.7cm long.  The Thracian sica sword had a blade as 30.5 to 45cm long

Ludus Training:
 
A lot of people have contacted me about gladiator training and what I have found.  The truth be told I have found none!  I recommend for my figthers that they pass the US Army PT test for their age and yoga.  Really any fitness program will do (P90X, Tapout, etc...) and it is there to help you survive the experience, during and after.  The only real training that will help you in the arena is actual time in the arena.  Finding a partner and training with them every once and a while will make all the difference.

Imperial Gladiator School * 104 Hunters Wood Drive * Summerville * SC * 29485 * 843.437.5587