03-11-2008, 05:20 PM
Some quotes from J.C.N. Coulston
From his article Gladiators and Soldiers: personnel and equipment in ludus and castra.
Journal of Roman Military Equipment Studies volume 9 1998 page 1-17
Quote
The para-military organisation and training of the iuventus involved gladiatorial trainers and played a part in inculcating the elites with gladiatorial methods.
Gladiators were debarred from becoming soldiers, unless in extreme crisis.
Specific types of fighter, the Samnite up to the Augustian period, and thereafter the myrmillo, secutor, provocator and hoplomachus, used weaponry equivalent to legionary provision.
The extent of body armour worn by gladiators varied according to type from none to complete coverage, with some emphasis on scale armour.
Some swordsman carried round shields, but the majority bore a large,rectangular, curving shield with a central umbo.
There were demonstrably a number of overlaps between military and gladiatorial spheres ib types of weapon and training apparatus
hort sword, rectangular shield, rudis and palus.
End quote.
My conclusion after reading this article:
A gladiator was could also be used as a campi doctor for the legion or auxillia, fot their swordfighting skills.
This would explain the manner of how the legion and auxillia used their sword and shield.
A gladiator could also be equipt with arms and armour from the army base next door.
[/quote]
From his article Gladiators and Soldiers: personnel and equipment in ludus and castra.
Journal of Roman Military Equipment Studies volume 9 1998 page 1-17
Quote
The para-military organisation and training of the iuventus involved gladiatorial trainers and played a part in inculcating the elites with gladiatorial methods.
Gladiators were debarred from becoming soldiers, unless in extreme crisis.
Specific types of fighter, the Samnite up to the Augustian period, and thereafter the myrmillo, secutor, provocator and hoplomachus, used weaponry equivalent to legionary provision.
The extent of body armour worn by gladiators varied according to type from none to complete coverage, with some emphasis on scale armour.
Some swordsman carried round shields, but the majority bore a large,rectangular, curving shield with a central umbo.
There were demonstrably a number of overlaps between military and gladiatorial spheres ib types of weapon and training apparatus
hort sword, rectangular shield, rudis and palus.End quote.
My conclusion after reading this article:
A gladiator was could also be used as a campi doctor for the legion or auxillia, fot their swordfighting skills.
This would explain the manner of how the legion and auxillia used their sword and shield.
A gladiator could also be equipt with arms and armour from the army base next door.
[/quote]
Regards
Garrelt
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Living History Group Teuxandrii
Taberna Germanica
Numerus I Exploratores Teuxandrii (Pedites et Equites)
Ludus Gladiatorii Gunsula
Jomsborg Elag Hrafntrae
Garrelt
-----------------------------------------------------
Living History Group Teuxandrii
Taberna Germanica
Numerus I Exploratores Teuxandrii (Pedites et Equites)
Ludus Gladiatorii Gunsula
Jomsborg Elag Hrafntrae
