Retiary
Retiarius — a gladiator armed with a net (rete, retia) and a trident (tridens, aka pitchfork - furcina), and practically unprotected by armor. Literally, its name translates to "fighter with a grid","netter". The net of the retiarius was round, had a diameter of about 3 meters, was weighted with lead weights at the edges, and may have been attached with a rope to the wrist. The retiarius was also armed with a pugio dagger, and sometimes used a quadrenx, a four — pointed fork, to finish off a defeated opponent. Since one of the main weapons of the gladiator was throwing (grid), it was sometimes called "yakulatorator" (iaculator, jaculator), that is, "thrower". The protective equipment of the retiarius consisted of a manica with a shoulder pad, sometimes cloth windings on the legs (fasciae), and clothing made of subligaculum and balteus.
Bone of a gladiator killed by quadrens, found in a cemetery in Ephesus, and reconstruction of the quadrens.
Example of netting a retiarium gridRetiarii were often shown in gladiatorial matches, as their tactics were very different from the typical behavior of gladiator swordsmen due to their specific equipment, and it was interesting to watch such fights. The lack of a shield and helmet caused Grid to constantly move during combat, avoiding close attacks. In the event of a successful net throw, the retiarius could entangle, knock down and finish off the enemy. If the opponent caught the net and started pulling, the retiarius could cut pugio's rope and free himself. With the trident, the retiarii both attacked and repelled the enemy's attacks. Most often, retiarii fought against secutors and murmillons, such a battle symbolized the duel of a fisherman and a fish. Sometimes one retiarius opposed two secutors at the same time, then they were located on a special platform. It should be noted that the retiarii did not enjoy the sympathy of the public due to the lack of spectacular equipment and a rather cunning and sneaky manner of fighting.
Tombstone of Retiarius Skirtos with a quadrennium in his hand. Constanta, Romania. 1-3 century AD 
Bas-relief with a retiarium. Found in Smyrna. Second half of the 1st century AD
Bas-relief with a retiarium. Aizanoy, Chavdarhisar, Kutahya, Turkey. 2-3 century ADEquipment
Retiarius Equipment:
- Pugio, Quadrennum
- Network
Traditionally, gladiators fought on sand, but when reconstructing the battle on a hard surface, it is recommended to use authentic shoes, such as kaligs.
Retiary, reconstruction
Retiary, reconstructionRelated topics
Gladiator, Manika, Balteus, Subligaculum, Full name, Thracian, Secutor, The provocateur, Murmillon, Shoulder Pad, The Trident
Gallery
ΑΓΟΡΑΚΙΤΟΣ vs ΜΑΡΙΣΚΟΣ. Bas-relief with a battle on a hill. Bas-relief found in Turkey. Archaeological Museum of Trieste. 2nd-3rd century AD 
Bas-relief with a retiarium. National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden, Netherlands. 1-2 century AD
Bronze figure of retiarius. 1-2 century A.D. British Museum, London.
Fragment of a bas-relief with the battle of retiarius, 1-2 century AD.
Bas-relief with gladiators. Necropolis in Kibyra, Burdur Museum. 2-3 century AD
Bas-relief with gladiators. Necropolis in Kibyra, Burdur Museum. 2-3 century AD
Bas-relief with a retiarium. National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden, Netherlands. 1-2 century AD
Terracotta oil lamp with retiarium. Gallo-Roman Museum, gladiatorial scene, Fourviere Gallo-Roman Museum, Lyon
Mosaic with Retiarius the Numidian. 1-2 century AD
Retiary. 1-2 century AD, 72 mm, bronze. Hixenbaugh Ancient Art Gallery, New York
Bronze statuette with retiarius. 1-3 century AD
Retiarius is left-handed. The bas-relief was found in Chester, England. Walden Museum. 2nd century AD
Oil lamp with retiarium. Romisch-Germanisches Museum, Cologne, 1st-2nd century AD
