Shoulder Guard
A shoulder guard (Latin: galerus) was a piece of gladiatorial equipment designed to protect the upper part of the shoulder. It was characteristic of gladiators known as
Relief of a Retiarius. Found in Smyrna. Second half of the 1st century CE.During excavations of gladiator schools in Pompeii and Capua, three stamped bronze shoulder guards were discovered. One of them is decorated with images of a crab, an anchor, and a trident, another with cupids and the head of Hercules, and the third with military trophies. The height of the shoulder guards is 30-35 cm, the width is about 30 cm, and they weigh 1.2 kg. The wide brims make the shoulder guards resemble small shields, providing protection for the head, neck, and upper chest from blows delivered from above or from right to left.
Bronze shoulder guard from Pompeii. Mid-1st century CE.
Bronze shoulder guard from Pompeii. Mid-1st century CE.
Bronze shoulder guard from Capua. Gladiator Museum in Capua. Mid-1st century CE.
