| Gladiators were the Roman Daevas who followed | | | | Bows and arrows were common matches for all |
| the command of the sword. They expertly wielded | | | | gladiators. They also used sharp, heavy darts |
| deadly weapons and were proficient in using pole | | | | (plumbatae) and slings for surprise attack. |
| arms. To excel in various combat techniques was the | | | | Daggers |
| only reason they lived for. The warriors worked day | | | | Roman daggers called Pugio were the back-up |
| and night to improve their battle skills according to | | | | weapon used by the gladiators. These daggers were |
| the characteristics of the weapon. Instead of | | | | very short, but with wide leaf type blades. Pugio was |
| adopting the flamboyant techniques and skills, | | | | a perfect for close combat. |
| gladiators preferred to attack the enemy with | | | | Shields |
| maximum power and concentration. Some of the | | | | Gladiators used long oblong shields for the personal |
| traditional weapons used by the gladiators included: | | | | defense. The warfare essential did not only shield the |
| Gladius | | | | gladiators but also worked to batter the opponents. |
| Gladius is the Latin term for "Sword". The weapon | | | | Armors |
| was specially designed for making short and powerful | | | | The armors used by the gladiators were modeled |
| thrusts. It was a straight double edged sword with | | | | after the agility of the warrior. There were 26 |
| sharp V-shaped pointed tip and a rhomboid cross | | | | sub-types of armors arranged according to strengths |
| section. Short handles provided ultimate balance and | | | | and weaknesses of the gladiator. Much also |
| projection of power. In the battlefield, gladius made a | | | | depended upon the armories available. Gladiators using |
| deadly combination with a rectangular shield, the | | | | projectile weapons were armored with leg padding |
| scutum. | | | | (fascia), arm wraps (manicae) and chain mail (thorax |
| Scythe-like sica and the single-edged acinaces cavalry | | | | hamata). A complete protection was provided to the |
| swords were other weapons that accompanied the | | | | gladiator with swords and dagger. They were |
| warrior in the bloody fight. | | | | covered with face-guards (Kalkriese), heavy helmets |
| Spears | | | | (Spangenhelmen -- borrowed from the Germanic |
| Spears were used by the gladiators for both | | | | tribes), and plate armor (lorica squamata). Although |
| thrusting and throwing. The point of the spears were | | | | the armors were heavy yet the ergonomic designing |
| multi pronged or in the forms of tridents and fascinas. | | | | provided ultimate freedom of movement during the |
| Projectile Weapons | | | | most tensed moments. |