09-10-2001, 11:02 AM
Salve,<br>
<br>
Gladiatorial trainers are reported as being used to train the newly recruited legions after the massive defeats suffered by the Roman army against the Cimbri and Teutones. It is however probably not correct to interpret this as implying that this was the normal state of affairs. There are no indications that they were employed afterwards and it was very likely an emergency measure, since a great number of experienced veteran soldiers had been wiped out. Since there were obvious similarities between the professions of legionary swordsman and professional swordfighter for the arena the gladiatorial trainers were a good stop gap measure. Training in weapons skills was normally done by experienced military instructors. Recruitment of men normally considered as unsuitable, such as slaves (usually freed before enlistment), gladiators, <i> lanistae</i> and others at the low end of social esteem, is recorded when the army was scraping the barrel for troops.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Gladiatorial trainers are reported as being used to train the newly recruited legions after the massive defeats suffered by the Roman army against the Cimbri and Teutones. It is however probably not correct to interpret this as implying that this was the normal state of affairs. There are no indications that they were employed afterwards and it was very likely an emergency measure, since a great number of experienced veteran soldiers had been wiped out. Since there were obvious similarities between the professions of legionary swordsman and professional swordfighter for the arena the gladiatorial trainers were a good stop gap measure. Training in weapons skills was normally done by experienced military instructors. Recruitment of men normally considered as unsuitable, such as slaves (usually freed before enlistment), gladiators, <i> lanistae</i> and others at the low end of social esteem, is recorded when the army was scraping the barrel for troops.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i></i>
