HELMETS OF THE GLADIATORS
A Roman gladiator was a professional fighter specializing in different types of fighting. They wrestled before the public in organized shows. The fights were made to the death, so life expectancy was very short. The vast majority of gladiators were slaves or condemned prisoners. The gladiator fight was the main spectacle of the time, to which they flocked. At the Flavio Amphitheater there were 50,000 spectators . For a time, women could also fight as gladiators. The most famous gladiator, was Spartacus, who led a rebellion against the Empire. After some victories he was defeated and captured. The punishment was tremendous and more than 6,000 gladiators were executed . A singular gladiator was the Emperor Commodus. It is highly unlikely that this character was in any real danger, as normally his main role was killing animals with a bow while riding in a cart. Other types of fighters included archers, boxers, and bestiarii , who fought animals. The end of gladiatorial fighting came in AD 404.
The helmet is the main defensive weapon of the gladiator. It consisted of a visor with holes that completely covered the face . His most characteristic offensive weapon was the Gladius, or cutting sword, hence the name gladiator. In addition to helmets and swords, these fighters carried other weapons that they used to defend themselves or attack, such as the shield, bracelets, and shin guards.
WHAT ARE THE GLADIATORS' HELMETS CALLED?
The great variety of helmet types is explained by the multiple class of gladiators .
- Myrmillions. It is believed that they derive from the Gallic warriors. His helmet covered the entire face, had wide edges and its crest was adorned by a fish. To this type belonged Spartacus.
- Thracians. Derived from the Greek warrior of Thrace. His helmet had a side feather, and also had a visor and a high crest.
- Reciarios. They were fighting myrmillions. They went bareheaded and armed with a net and a trident.
-Persecutors or Secutors. Its helmet was integral and smooth. They were armed in the same way as the myrmillions, except for the helmet, smooth and with small openings for the eyes.
- Samnites. He was the first type of gladiator to jump into the arena of the Roman circus. They wore a helmet with a visor, wings, crest and crest of feathers.
These are the main types of gladiator, although there were other types of lesser gladiators.
- Laqueari . They fought on horseback. They wore a helmet with a closed visor.
- Provocateurs . They opened the shows in the Roman circuses. His helmet had two brimless visors so as not to be caught by the net of the retiaria by the net of the retiaria.
- Essedari . Introduced by Julius Caesar, they fought on chariots in the likeness of Breton warriors.
-Dimachaeri . _ From the end of the empire, their main characteristic was that they fought with two swords.
- Hoplomaco : Helmet with a visor adorned with a feather.
- Andabatae : These were forced to fight. They fought blindly as their helmet visors had no holes. They were prisoners destined to die in the arena.
