To compensate for this reduced protection, parmularii were usually equipped with two greaves, rather than the single greave of a scutarius. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin. [18], A parmularius (pl parmularii) was any gladiator who carried a parmula (small shield), in contrast to a scutarius, who bore a larger shield (scutum). [22] Retiarii usually fought Secutores but sometimes fought Myrmillones. Murmillones were typically paired with a Thracian opponent, but occasionally with the similar hoplomachus. Probably a heavyweight, and heavily armoured, the Gallus seems to have been replaced by, or perhaps transformed into, the Murmillo, soon after Gaul's absorption as a Roman province. The rudiarius was a rare type of gladiator who had won his freedom but chose to return to battle in the arena. He was equipped also with a dagger for use once he snared his opponent. [39] He might enjoy a long life: an epitaph for a paegniarius named Secundus boasted that he had lived 99 years, 8 months, and 18 days. It was frequently said that Samnites were the lucky ones since they got large shields and good swords. German historian and experimental archeologist Marcus Junkelmann has suggested that this type of gladiator fought using a weapon consisting of a hardened steel tube that encased the gladiator's entire forearm, with the hand end capped off and a semicircular blade attached to it.[29]. Not a typical weapon for battle, but as we mentioned earlier this came from the fact this gladiator was based off the likeness of a fisherman. Marcus Junkelmann, 'Familia Gladiatoria: "The Heroes of the Amphitheatre"' in The Power of Spectacle in Ancient Rome: Gladiators and Caesars, ed. The Hoplomachus (Greek for "armed fighter") wore quilted, trouser-like leg wrappings, loincloth, a belt, a pair of long shin-guards or greaves, an arm guard (manica) on the sword-arm, and a brimmed helmet that could be adorned with a plume of feathers on top and a single feather on each side. Generally, they fought only other equites.[16]. The summa rudis officials wore white tunics with purple borders (clavi),and served as technical experts to ensure that the gladiators fought bravely, skillfully, and according to the rules. With his token rudis, the newly liberated gladiator could begin a new career, perhaps as a trainer of future fighters at a gladiatorial school called a ludus, or perhaps serving as referees during gladiatorial combats.Sometimes retired gladiators, called rudiarii, would return for a final fight. They commonly fought Myrmillones or Hoplomachi. ( Fotokvadrat /Adobe Stock) Rudiarius A gladiator who had received a rudis and was therefore an experienced volunteer, especially worth watching. [30], The Thraex (plural Thraeces, "Thracians") wore the same protective armour as the hoplomachi with a broad rimmed helmet that enclosed the entire head, distinguished by a stylized griffin on the protome or front of the crest (the griffin was the companion of the avenging goddess Nemesis), a small round or square-shaped shield (parmula), and two thigh-length greaves. ), hence the name), a three-pointed trident (fuscina or tridens), and a dagger (pugio). A retiarius (plural retiarii; literally, "net-man" in Latin) was a Roman gladiator who fought with equipment styled on that of a fisherman: a weighted net (rete (3rd decl. The primary weapon of the retiarius gladiator was possibly one of the most unique of all the gladiators, the trident. In the later Imperial period, their armament ceased to reflect its military origins, and changes in armament followed changes in arena fashion only. Tacitus has them "encased in the continuous shell of iron usual in the country", labouring under its weight, unable to fight effectively, rapidly tiring and soon dispatched by regular Roman troops. He was equipped with a gladius and a very small, round shield. Essedarii appear as arena-fighters in many inscriptions after the 1st century AD. The essedarius (from the Latin word for a Celtic war-chariot, essedum) was likely first brought to Rome from Britain by Julius Caesar. Martial Tells the Story of Gladiators Priscus and Verus, Biography of Spartacus, an Enslaved Man Who Led a Revolt, Top 10 Myths and Urban Legends About Ancient History, Armor and Weapons of the Spanish Conquistadors, Gladiatorial Combat: The Rules of Engagement, Blown Call? A rudis (plural rudes) was a wooden sword or rod, which was used in Roman gladiator training both against the palus (a post) and for mock combats between sparring partners. They may have developed out of the earlier '"Samnite" type after it became impolitic to use the names of now-allied peoples. The Samnite was an early type of heavily armed fighter that disappeared in the early imperial period. "[36], The lanista was an owner-trainer of a troop of gladiators. They carried batons and whips with which they pointed out illegal movements. The gladiator then became a Rudiarius and was free to choose how to spend the rest of his days. He had neither a helmet nor a shield, but wore protective wrappings on his lower legs and head. Investors | Contact Us | Fact Sheet | How to Invest | Whistle blowing. Gladiators fighting in the arena. The profession was often remunerative, but socially the lanista was on a par with a pimp (leno) as a "vendor of human flesh.