A new exhibition examines the lives of ancient Roman gladiators
Gladiator fights were not exactly as Hollywood made them out to be. An exhibition in Hamburg separates fact from fiction.
The equipment: Different kinds of gladiators
Small statues preserved from ancient Rome show us how gladiators were equipped. This figure from the 1st century AD depicts a so-called "Murmillo," a heavily armed gladiator. He typically wore a sword (not preserved on the statue), a bronze helmet and a shield, as well as a metal leg covering on his left leg.
Different kinds of gladiators
In the early days of gladiator fights, combatants were equipped almost identically. But over time, different types of gladiators with different outfits and fighting styles came into being. Fights between a Murmillo fighter (his helmet pictured) and a so-called "Thraex" fighter were the most common. A "Retiarius" fighter entered combat with a trident and weighted net.
Fighting with helmet and sword
Duels between Murmillo and Thraex took place mainly in the first two centuries. The picture shows a Thraex helmet with a visor that protected the eyes. The head protection was typically crowned by a comb. A Thraex sword was bent differently than that of the Murmillo and could also be used to stab behind a Murmillo's shield.
Leg coverings and a shield for protection
Thraex fighters wore long metal coverings on both legs because they were only equipped with a small shield. The Murmillo, meanwhile, had a long shield and only a short leg covering. The "ocrea," the official name of this leg protection, were made of metal and attached to the shin with straps. They were usually decorated elaborately, like this "ocrea" from Pompeii (pictured).
Clues about history
Who the gladiators were and how they fought can be deduced from written sources and inscriptions from the period. Illustrations on stone also provide information about their armor and what they wore. Pictured is a clay oil lamp that depicts a gladiator in uniform. Archaeologists are also working to understand the lives of gladiators through excavations and scientific research.
What visitors to the exhibition can expect
With original artifacts and reconstructions, life-size figures, films and interactive elements, the exhibition "Gladiators - Heroes of the Colosseum" brings visitors into a bygone era and gives them a glimpse into what it was like to fight as a gladiator. The exhibition runs until February, 28, 2021 in the Archaeological Museum Hamburg.