Types of Gladiators
Different types of Roman Gladiators
Andabatae - Might have fought on horseback. They were protected by chainmail visored helmets with no eye holes. Can be thought of as early jousters.
Bestiarii - Fought against wild animals, using spears originally. Their survival rate was very low. Later in history, they evolved into highly trained gladiators who fought exotic beasts imported from abroad.
Bustuarii - These gladiators fought around the remains of a prominent deceased Roman, as a part of the funerary ritual.
Dimachaeri - Used two daggers in combat.
Equites - Known as the knights, they began combat on horseback, then threw down their lance. They then dismounted and fought on the ground with a gladius (short sword). At the height of the Empire (and gladiatorial games), they wore a manica (arm guard) on the right arm, tunics (rather than without a shirt), without greaves (shin guards).
Essedari - Known as chariot fighters, their name comes from the Latin word for a Celtic chariot, esseda.
Hoplomachi - These gladiators were heavily armed, wearing quilted leg wrappings, a loincloth, greaves, a right arm manica, and a brimmed helmet that featured a crest of feathers along the top. One of these combatants carried a gladius and a small, round bronze shield.
Laquerarii - Used a lasso to catch opponents. Also used a dagger.
Murmillones - This type of gladiator sported a fish in the crest of his helmet, or a mormylos, hence the origin of the name. The Murmillo also wore a manica, a loincloth, his feet and legs were covered by wrappings and shorter greaves. He fought with a gladius and a tall shield like the type carried by the legions, called a scutum.
Provocatores - The only gladiator to wear a breastplate, called a cardiophylax, the provacatore also wore a loincloth, a long greave on his left leg, a manica, and a helmet that sported a feather on each side. He carried a gladius and a long, rectangular shield.
Retiarii - A retiarius fought naked except for a loincloth, a manica, and a galerus (a metal shoulder guard). He fought with a trident, a dagger, and a net. Think Kirk Douglas in Spartacus.
Sagittarii - Used a bow and arrow in combat.
Samnites - This type of gladiator became obsolete during the Imperial period. A Samnis was heavily armed but lightly armored, wearing a greave on the left leg, a scutum, and a plumed helmet, and fighting with a gladius.
Secutores - This type of gladiator wore the same armor and was armed similar to the Murmillo. His helmet was different, covering the entire face other than two holes for his eyes. Often paired with a Retarius, this was to protect his face from the trident prongs.
Thraces - A Thracian gladiator wore similar armor as the hoplomachi. the helmet was slightly different in that a griffin was featured on the front of the crest. For weaponry, these fighters carried a parmula (a smaller and square shield), a gladius, and a sica (a curved blade).
Velites - This type of gladiator fought on foot, carrying a spear. They were named for an early Republican army unit.
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Sources: Wikipedia
http://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-gladiators.php
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