Hoplomachus
Hoplomachus, from Greek hoplomachos, “armed fighter”, was a gladiator carrying a spear and small round shield. His appearance evoked the Greek hoplite without reproducing the full hoplite equipment.
Images show an enclosed helmet, high greaves and an arm guard. The spear was the principal weapon, with a short blade as a secondary weapon. The shield, usually described as a small bronze example, must not be called both the main weapon and a large hoplon. One common opponent was the murmillo.
Bronze statue of hoplomakh. Neues Museum,Berlin. 2nd century AD
Image of hoplomakh on glass. Found in Bengram,Afghanistan. 52-125 AD
Zliten mosaic from Libya (Leptis Magna). 2nd century ADEquipment
Hoplomachus's equipment: - Gladiator Helmet Type III - Liner - Manica - Ocrea - Balteus - Subligaculum - Hasta - Pugio - Shield Footwear used in a modern performance is a practical adaptation, not a compulsory part of the ancient kit.
It is assumed that Hoplomachus's shields were made of bronze. This is indicated both by separate pictorial sources, where the shields are depicted convex almost to the hemisphere, and by finds that are also bronze. An example is the shield from Pompeii, which has a diameter of 37 cm, and a weight of 1.8 kg.
Shield of Hoplomachus of Pompeii. Bronze. 1st century ADRelated topics
Literature and sources
Mural with hoplomakh and murmillon. Roman Villa in Merchen. Museum of Pre- and Early History,Saarbrücken,Germany. 3rd century AD
Hoplomachus against the Thracian. Römerhalle,Bad Kreuznach,Germany. 3rd century AD
Bas-relief with hoplomachus from Ephesus. Turkey. 1-2 century AD
Oil lamp with gladiator. 1-2 century ADInterested in Ancient Rome beyond reading? Join Legio X Fretensis or explore our reenactment directions.
