Training time

[fsultana]

Is there any knowledge how long on average it took to train up a gladiator? Those not captured as prisoners of war would likely have little to no combat training.

[Medusa Gladiatrix]

I mentioned this in my other post about the prisoners of war that a tiro gladiator trained for at least half a year before he had his first public bout in an arena. Training was of course everyday but they get a good meal and massage afterwards and had a ludus-own bathhouse. At least this counts for the big ludi such those in Rome or in Pompeii.

[Tiberius Clodius Corvinus]

If we convey experience from other martial arts , given daily training, six month to a year seems to be most likely to make the gladiator a reasonable able fighter. this wouldn't make him/her invincible, but at least he'd deliver a good show. and that counts.

[jvrjenivs]

we also know of different classes of gladiator skills. This was based on the pole system they used for training. The best skilled men were the primus palus ('those who train at the first pole) and trained at the last row of poles. The secundus palus on the next row. The higher the row number the more in front of the lanista you're training, so he sees you better and can give you more personal comments.

Experienced primus palus should have been training for years. Done a couple of fights in the arena, etc. Some were famous, just like modern sportsmen. (These whould have had years of training) It's that simple that the higher the skills of the gladiator the higher the price. So it's also up to the editor which skilled men he want to use (and pay for).

I personally thing that about half a year of training before your first fight would be a good estimate. You first have to choose which type of gladiator fits you best (so you need at least some training in all kinds of weaponry) and then you specialised training can begin.

[fsultana]

Would advancement through the palus be purely judged by success in the actual arena?

[jvrjenivs]

no, I think the opinion of the lanista will judge that.

[john m roberts]

Modern military recruits are generally judged ready for combat (often wrongly) after about 16 weeks of training. This includes training in a vast number of duties besides combatives. After six months of intensive weapon training, a lanista would have judged a man as fit and ready as he was ever going to be and, if not, he might as well get killed and spare the expense of feeding him.

[Dillzie]

Just a guess i reckon upto 2 month but it depends on the trainer :?: