Those About to Die: An All-Inclusive Handbook on Roman Gladiators and Charioteers
The historical drama series "Those About To Die" carries viewers to the violent and fascinating realm of ancient Roman gladiatorial combat. Set during the Flavian Dynasty under Emperor Vespasian, the drama explores the life of gladiators, Charioteers, and other people whose paths were entwined with the Colosseum's bloody spectacles.
Based on Daniel P. Mannix's popular book, the show brilliantly captures the core of Rome's "bread and circus"—a system of pacifying the people by offering free food and graphic entertainment. The story takes place against the Flavian Amphitheatre (Colosseum), highlighting the complex operations of this ancient arena and the many people who called its platforms home.
Examining the Colosseum's Warriors: a Close-up View of Various Gladiator Styles
"Those About To Die" presents viewers with a rare window into the several kinds of gladiators who delighted and entertained Roman audiences. Every type had unique weapons, fighting techniques, and arena roles. Let us explore the interesting realm of these warrior experts:
Masters of Speed and Skill—Charioteers
Roman racing's grand display was much enhanced by the expert drivers of horse-drawn chariots, known as charioteers. Their races presented an exciting and risky exhibition of agility and strategy. Although they might have become extremely wealthy, most charioteers came from lower classes; the horses were often owned by aristocrats.
From solo events to teams of drivers, these brave people participated in several configurations. Their particular type was based on the number of horses they guided, which added still another level of complexity to these quick races.
Bestiarius: Fighting the Dragonines
As the name suggests, the Bestiarius was a gladiator focused in combat against wild animals. Originally the practice of throwing enemies of the state to the beasts, this perilous career developed. Skilled people volunteered over time to meet entertainment needs by facing these challenges.
Commonplace in the Colosseum were lions, tigers, bears, and other fierce animals, which gave the arena some unpredictability and peril. Equipped with a range of weapons, Bestiarii had to be masters of strategy, agility, and bravery if he was to survive these meetings.
Gladiatrix: The Rare Women Soldiers
Though their historical accounts are few, Gladiatrix—female gladiators—existed and fought in the arena. Their appearance was rare, and finally Emperor Septimius Severus outlawed female gladiatorial fighting. Gladiatrix battled each other before this decree, displaying to the Roman audience their bravery and talents.
Although specifics on their weapons and training are lacking, it is thought that gladiatrix used same tools and methods as their male counterparts. <
Samnites and Hoplomachus: Arena Speechmen
The Samnites and Hoplomachus were unique for their spear-throwing techniques, leggings resembling trouser-style, and famous feathered helmets. Using short swords and small shields, they were sharp fighters combining spear-throwing with close quarters combat.
The Samnites were finally replaced by the hoplomachus, most likely because of their alleged improper character. Still, they were a strong team in the arena since they had a similar fighting technique and gear.
Laquearius: Gladiator Lasso-Wielding Lasso
The Laquearius subdued their opponent using a lasso, or "laqueus," unlike their sword-wielding colleagues. Like a cowboy roping cattle, this kind of gladiator caught their enemies with their skill with a rope.
Once their adversary was under control, the laquearius would attack with little swords. Although some say the laquearius offered comic relief, their abilities were nonetheless remarkable and dangerous.
Retiarius: The Net Warrior
Renowned as "net fighters," the Retiarius were a distinctive and strikingly beautiful gladiator type. Their unique equipment comprised of a trident, a net, a loincloth, a belt, and arm guards. Unlike other gladiators, they usually relied on other types of face protection and did not don helmets.
Usually fighting on a platform of rocks, the retiarius attacked rivals trying to scale the construction with his net and trident. Their unusual approach and agility made them an erratic and difficult opponent on the arena.
Rudiarius: Freedom Fighter
One particular kind of gladiator who had earned their freedom was the Rudiarius. Given a wooden sword or stick, they were let to keep fighting should they so want. Many times experienced veterans with a devoted following, these gladiators were crowd favorites.
After gaining their freedom, some liberated gladiators decided to move into other roles, such trainers or officials. Their knowledge and experience made them great gladiatorial assets.
Sagittarius: The arena archer
As their name implies, the Sagittarius was the Colosseum's archer. Using ranged weapons, this gladiator presented a unique challenge for opponents used in close quarters fighting.
Their skill with archery let them engage foes from a distance, so adding a strategic component to the fights.
Secutor: The Pursuer
Usually known as the "purser," the secutor was the retiarius's arch-rival. Specifically designed to counter the net fighter, the secutor employed a tall rectangular shield and a sword. Their helmets featured small eye-holes, hindering the retiarius's ability to inflict damage with their trident.
The secutor's tactics focused on pursuing and engaging the retiarius, turning the tables on the net fighter's unique fighting style.
Other Common Types of Gladiators: A Diverse Cast of Warriors
Beyond the specific types discussed above, many other types of gladiators populated the Roman arena. Each brought their unique skills, weapons, and fighting styles to the spectacle. Here are some of the noteworthy categories:
Cestus: The Boxers of the Arena
The cestus were akin to boxers of the ancient world. They relied on their fists to fight, equipped with a cestus, a type of boxing glove with added knuckle-guards. These warriors wore no armor in the ring, making their battles a raw and brutal display of hand-to-hand combat.
Dimachaerus: The Dual-Wielding Swordsman
The dimachaerus, a name of Greek origin, was distinct for using a sword in each hand, unlike other gladiators who typically wielded a sword and shield. Their dual-wielding skills required a high level of agility and precision, making them formidable opponents.
Eques: The Noble Warriors
The equites were often drawn from upper-middle-class or aristocratic backgrounds. They were not allowed to participate in full gladiatorial combat, but were known to engage in duels or fights among themselves. They typically fought with swords or spears, wearing decorative helmets and shields.
Gallus: The Heavily Armed Gaulish Fighters
Gallus gladiators were frequently Gaulish prisoners of war or fighters who specialized in the Gaulish style of combat. These powerful and heavily armored warriors brought a unique style of fighting to the arena, often wielding axes or swords.
Murmillo: The Stylish and Armored Gladiator
The murmillo was a visually striking type of gladiator, known for their helmet adorned with a fish crest. They also wore arm guards, gaiters, and distinctive thick wrappings on their feet. Their primary equipment included a large oblong shield, similar to those used by Roman legionaries.
Parmularius: The Small Shield Gladiator
Any gladiator who used a smaller-sized shield was categorized as a parmularius. This type of gladiator typically employed a more agile and offensive style of fighting, relying on speed and maneuverability.
Scissor: The Dual-Bladed Fighter
The scissor gladiator was distinctive for their use of a special short sword with two blades that resembled a pair of scissors without a hinge. This weapon was designed for slicing and thrusting, providing a unique and potentially deadly attack.
Scutarius: The Large Shield Defender
The scutarius, as their name suggests, relied on large shields for protection. Their heavy armor and shield-based defense made them more resilient but less mobile than their smaller-shield-wielding counterparts.
Thraex: The Curved Blade Specialist
Introduced as a replacement for the Gallus, the thraex specialized in using swords with curved blades. They were also often outfitted with similar equipment as the hoplomachus. Their curved swords provided a powerful advantage in close combat, allowing them to execute complex maneuvers and disarming techniques.
"Those About to Die" offers viewers a captivating and historically rich exploration of the gladiatorial world. The series sheds light on the lives, struggles, and triumphs of these warriors, highlighting the brutality, entertainment, and social dynamics that shaped ancient Roman society.
Sources:
Villanova University
TheColosseum.org
World History Encyclopedia
The Met
