07-12-2011, 03:43 PM
Sorry have come to this thread quite late. It's a fascinating find and epigraph, obviously intrepretation is difficult but the hypothesis put forward doesn't seem unreasonable.
From the armour and weaponary I take it that the two gladiators involved are Provocators. Two questions spring to mind which I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on:
1.) The Gladius portrayed are exceptionally short. This could just be the artists perspective yet everything else seems in proportion so could it be that they are fighting with Pugio in what is effectively a dagger fight with scutum? From my failing memory I seem to recall other representations on Provocator tombstones of very short short swords!!!
2.) The bindings on the left leg of the Gladiators -one on ankle other above knee- what purpose did they serve and is it leather or cloth (I know this was discussed briefly in a previous thread)but any further thoughts appreciated
From the armour and weaponary I take it that the two gladiators involved are Provocators. Two questions spring to mind which I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on:
1.) The Gladius portrayed are exceptionally short. This could just be the artists perspective yet everything else seems in proportion so could it be that they are fighting with Pugio in what is effectively a dagger fight with scutum? From my failing memory I seem to recall other representations on Provocator tombstones of very short short swords!!!
2.) The bindings on the left leg of the Gladiators -one on ankle other above knee- what purpose did they serve and is it leather or cloth (I know this was discussed briefly in a previous thread)but any further thoughts appreciated
Marc Byrne
