Galerus
Galerus — the retiarius’s shoulder guard
The galerus was a tall protective element on the left shoulder of the retiarius. It supplemented the manica and protected the shoulder and side of the neck, while the fighter’s head remained without a helmet.
Bronze finds and images provide evidence for its form and attachment. The dimensions of individual surviving objects are not a compulsory standard for every retiarius. Reconstruction requires comparison with the arm guard and the body position in images, rather than treating the galerus as a separate helmet.
Bas-relief with a retiarium. Found in Smyrna. Second half of the 1st century ADSurviving bronze galeri from the Pompeian assemblage of gladiatorial equipment have chased decoration. Known examples include marine motifs such as a crab, anchor and trident, as well as figures and trophies. These images help relate the finds to the arena appearance of the retiarius.
The raised plate supplemented the arm guard and protected the neck on the left shoulder side. Published dimensions of individual finds refer to specific objects; they cannot automatically be applied to every fighter or modern replica.
Bronze shoulder pad from Pompeii. Mid-1st century AD
Bronze shoulder pad from Pompeii. Mid-1st century AD
Bronze scapular from Capua. Gladiator Museum of Capua. Mid-1st century ADRelated topics
Literature and sources
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