Types of Roman Gladiators

Types of roman gladiators

Andabata: Wore a large helmet that obscured his vision. They were essentially known as blind fighters. Their visors were without eye holes. They would most likely been seen charging at each other on horseback, similar to medieval jousting games in the coming centuries.

Bestiarii: the name itself is pretty self explanatory. They fought animals and were usually armed with only a knife or spear. These were men were condemned to death and would most likely be slaughtered by ferocious animals because of their lack of training. However, in later years, the bestiarii would become better trained.

Dimachaeri: Fighters who used both swords in hand.

Equites: These guys generally fought each other. They fought each other on horseback a gladius and spear. They were dressed in tunics of leather for protection and wore arm guards.

Essedari: These warriors were charioteers from Celtic Britain. They were imported from Britain to Rome.

Hoplomachi: Hopolomachi meant heavily armed. They were based on the hoplites in Greek tradition. They were known for wearing elaborate helmets with a griffin crest. For further protection, they wore leg wrappings that were quilted with shin guards. They also carried a hoplite spear and a smaller, round shield. Other top tiered fighters were pitted against the hoplomachi: mirmillones or thraces.

Laquerii: These fighters used only ropes and nooses and catch opponents.

Mirmillones: These guys were known for wearing elaborate helmets with a fish crest on it. A kind of throwback to Achilles’ myrmidons. The mirmilones also wore arm guards (or manicas). They were equipped with the gladius and an oblong shield and the style was Gallic. They only fought elite warriors such as the hoplomachi or the thraces.

Praegenarii: These guys were the hype men of their day. They would get the crowd roaring by fighting each other with a wooden sword (rudis) and wore protective wrappings around the body for protection. Music was played as they fought: instruments being the hydraulic water organ, cymbals and trumpets.

Provocatores: Usually pitted against the hoplomachi. May have used various kinds of weapons.

Retiarii: These warriors had a trident, fishnet and dagger. They wore a protective manica that extended from the shoulder to the left side of the chest. A galerus shield was also used to protect the neck. They regularly fought secutores or mirmillones.

Saggitarii: These guys were armed with bows and could fire from great distances. They could be on horseback or riding chariots.

Secutores: Usually main opponents as the retiarii and had about the same armor as the mirmillones . They carried the gladius and an oblong shield.

Thraces: These warriors were equipped with protective greaves that reached the thigh with a round or square shield. They wore broad helmets that encircled the head. They were known for their curved swords (or sica). They normally fought the mirmillones and hoplomachi.

Velites: Foot fighters that mainly fought with spears. They would sport strapped belts to hold the spears in place. They were named after army division of the early Republic.

Venatores: Engaged in animal hunting. They were more hunters than warriors, but they had a role in the gladiatorial games.