Different Roman Gladiator Types Explained

Samnites[a]

Samnites were the first gladiators of Rome, appearing around the 4th century BCE. Their look was inspired by the warriors of Samnium, one of Rome’s earliest enemies, beaten in the early days of the republic. Samnite gladiators fought with a short sword called a Gladius, crafted for thrusting and parrying but not otherwise overly effective. They also carried a rectangular shield, and would protect themselves with a greave and helmet. There was psychology at play here, with the Romans initially basing lesser gladiators on Samnium as a means of mockery. Relations did eventually warm between Samnium and Rome, however, causing the Samnite gladiator to eventually be superseded by other classes, such as the Secutor.

Sagittarii

From the Latin word for archer, the Sagittarii were mounted bowmen. They were high profile gladiators, a special act at any event, and were paid generously for their talents. Inspired by the people of ancient Parthia, a Sagittarius fought in elaborate mock battles, popular in Rome as a way of demonstrating its victories to the masses. These battles would be against the Noxii, who were among the very lowest gladiator classes. Noxii were usually criminals or prisoners of war, almost certainly condemned to die. The Sagittarii wore light armor, geared for mobility and speed. Which they needed because they also often participated in staged hunts, known as venationes. Here, they were pitted against exotic animals, for one of the most infamous and brutal aspects of the gladiatorial games.

Tertiarius[b]

The name “Tertiarius” comes from the Latin word meaning “third”, which reflects the unique role that these gladiators had, as backup fighters. The Tertiarius only entered the arena under specific circumstances. They were a less common variety of gladiator, but were also often crucial. Whenever another gladiator was unable to continue a fight due to injury, exhaustion, or death, a Tertiarius would take their place as a substitute, ensuring the show would go on. As a result, they were likely to have been extremely versatile, capable of using a wide range of weapons and tactics. But, despite their importance and skill, they were less prestigious than many others who fought within the arena.

Cataphractarius

These were a later addition to the roster of Roman gladiators, inspired by both Germanic and Parthian cavalry, and introduced under the rule of Hadrian,[c] between 117 and 138 AD. The Cataphractarius were much more heavily armored than most others. To look at, they would’ve been a fearsome sight. However, their armor could also slow them down, and hinder their movement. They generally faced more mobile, lesser-armored opponents, such as the Retiarius[d], which was one of the most popular gladiator types of all - always equipped with a net and a trident, to first entangle their opponent, before launching an attack. By contrast, the Cataphractarius fought with a long lance, a heavy two-handed weapon, bringing tremendous might and sheer brute force to the fight.

Thracian

The Thracians[e] were another who were lightly armed. They were inspired by the culture of Thrace, a region in Southeast Europe, comprising parts of modern-day Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece. Their weapon of choice was a mid-length, curved sword, called a Sica[f], which - when wielded with skill - could cause serious damage. Thracian helmets were brightly decorated with a tall crest and covered in feathers. On the ground, they were quick and agile fighters, and as a result were often paired against a heavily armored counterpart, to create an intriguing fighter dynamic. A fast and tactical gladiator (such as a Thracian) against a strong and defensive one; the contrast made for a thrilling spectacle.

Dimachaerus[g]

Who needs one Sica when you can have two? The name Dimachaerus derives from Greek to mean “two swords”, and that’s exactly what these particular gladiators were famed for. They dual-wielded two blades, and as a result didn’t carry a shield. They were focused entirely on offense, which meant that they were some of the most exciting fighters for Roman crowds to watch. Agility was essential, so they wore extremely light armor. They could parry with one sword, and strike with the other, which required a high level of coordination and skill, not to mention immense stamina. Again, they were usually paired against more defensive gladiator types, but a Dimachaerus’ best chance of escaping alive was to finish the fight as quickly as possible. Allow it to rumble for too long, and fatigue could be fatal.

Female Gladiators

Sometimes known as the Amazones (after the group of legendary warrior women from Greek mythology) and later as the Gladiatrix, it’s thought that it was quite rare for women to fight as gladiators - but we know for sure that some did. It’s well documented by scholars during the reign of Nero and Domitian[h], especially, before female fighters were eventually banned by Septimius Severus,[i] in approximately 200 AD. Details on the exact profile of female gladiators are scarce, but it’s thought that many were wealthy Roman women, who fought for the thrill of it. On the other hand, some may also have been ordered to fight by men, to deliberately bring greater attention to a family. One distinctive trait is that it’s thought female gladiators didn’t wear a helmet, perhaps purely as a way to show their femininity to the watching, baying crowds.

Murmillones[j]

The Murmillo was one of the most recognizable Roman gladiators, thanks to their heavy armor, iconic helmet, large shield, and formidable fighting style. Their helmets were decorated with a fish-shaped crest, with “murmillo” being an ancient word for fish. Murmillones fought with a short sword and large shield. Close combat was their specialty, mixing powerful offense with a strong defense. They were another who also often fought the Retiarius, who again brandished a net and a trident, to create something of a “fish” and “fisherman” narrative. The tiny holes in a Murmillo’s helmet were largely to fend off a trident to the eyes! To become a Murmillo, you needed to undergo rigorous training, but there was a chance that this gladiator could one day win their freedom.

Secutores[k]

The Latin for “pursuer” or “chaser” is “secutor”, which reflects the fighting style of the Secutores, who were prominent gladiators in Rome. They again would usually be paired with the Retiarius, for an oft-repeated epic struggle between water (the Retiarius) and fire (the Secutores, who symbolized the god of fire, Vulcan). Secutores would wear a full-face helmet, with a smooth top to make them less prone to getting caught in a net. Again, their helmets’ eye holes were tiny, to block the prongs of a trident. They also wore a breastplate, wielded a short sword in one hand and carried a giant rectangular shield in the other. Most of the time, Secutores were originally slaves or prisoners, but they too could gain their freedom through heroic victories in the arena. Sometimes they even became Roman celebrities in their own right.

Rudiarii

Incredibly, there were many gladiators who earned their freedom but continued to fight. These are the Rudiarii. The name derives from the word “rudis[l]”, which refers to the symbolic wooden sword that a gladiator was given upon their release. Despite their newfound safety, however, a Rudiarius returned to the arena. As a result, they were usually huge fan favorites, and their matches carried more prestige than others. Rudiarius wasn’t a class of gladiator in itself, but more a universal term for anyone who took this path. The Rudiarii also had other options. They could train new gladiators, become a referee for future games, or just retire completely. All were respected. But the bravery of the returning fighter, their unmatched experience and skill, ensured that they were among the most highly respected of all.


What’s your verdict on the era of Roman gladiators? Are there any other areas of Roman society that you’d like to see us feature next? Let us know in the comments!

[a]https://forvo.com/search/Samnites/

[b]https://forvo.com/search/Tertiarius/
[c]https://forvo.com/search/Hadrian/en/
[d]https://forvo.com/search/Retiarius/la/
[e]https://forvo.com/search/Thracian/
[f]https://forvo.com/search/Sica/la/
[g]"deem" plus https://forvo.com/search/Dimachaerus/
[h]https://forvo.com/search/Domitian/
[i]https://forvo.com/search/Septimius/
[j]https://forvo.com/search/Murmillones/
[k]Secutores

https://youtu.be/uqHzzBNXOdA?si=lve81mvQ-FWAk0GD&t=24

[l]https://forvo.com/search/rudis/