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Essedari

Roman Colosseum

'The Roman Colosseum'

History, Facts and Information about the Essedari
Gladiators were divided into different classes according to their weapons and fighting styles. There were strict rules and protocol surrounding the fights of gladiators. A gladiatorial fight would usually involve two gladiators but similar types of gladiators such as the Essedari, would not normally fight each other.

The first Roman Gladiators were prisoners of war and used the weapons and equipment characteristic of their people. The early enemies of Rome included the Samnites, the Thracians and the Gauls (Gallus) and gladiators were named according to their ethnic roots. This changed over the years and the names of the different types of gladiators reflected their combat techniques such as Secutores (chasers), Bestiarii (beast fighters) and Retiarius (net fighters). Gladiators were always clothed and armed to resemble barbarians with unusual and exotic weapons and their fights depicted famous victories over barbarians and the power of the Roman Empire. The Essedari gladiators get their name from the light two-wheeled chariot of the Celts and the Ancient Britons led by Boadicea.

Gladiator Weapons
Roman Gladiator Armor

Definition of a Essedari - Weapons, Armor, Fighting Styles and Opponents
What type of gladiator was a Essedari? What weapons and armor did they use? What was their style of combat? And what type of gladiator was matched as their opponent?

  • Definition: The Essedari ("war-chariot fighters") fought from chariots and on foot

  • Opponent: The Essedari were primarily charioteers who fought in battles in the arena which reflected the warfare of the Celts. They would have played interesting roles in battles depicting Roman successes against enemies such as Ancient Britons led by Queen Boadicea

  • Weapons: This type of gladiator fought with a heavy spear called a medallion which was a 6ft long thick wooden spear reinforced with an iron point.

  • Body Armor and helmet worn by this type of gladiator: The Montefortino Roman helmet adapted from the Celtic helmets and decorated with a crest

  • Shield: A flat Oval or Hexagonal shield

Roman Colosseum
Gladiators

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