Retiarius
The retiarius, or net-fighter, was a gladiator armed with a net, trident and short blade. His protection was limited compared with shield-bearing fighters: he had no helmet or shield, while a manica and galerus protected his left arm and shoulder. His clothing included a subligaculum and belt.
The net could restrict an opponent’s movements; the trident provided reach. The exact net diameter, arrangement of weights and method of holding it are not an established universal standard. Claims about a special four-pronged fork routinely used to finish opponents should likewise not be presented as normal practice for all retiarii. His characteristic opponent was the secutor.
Bone of a gladiator killed by quadrens,found in a cemetery in Ephesus,and reconstruction of the quadrens.
Example of netting a retiarium gridThe pairing of a retiarius with a secutor opposed contrasting equipment: a net and long weapon without a shield against a sword, shield and enclosed helmet. Distance and mobility gave this contest a distinctive character.
A single image cannot reconstruct the exact sequence of every movement. Unusual arrangements are also attested, including a retiarius facing two secutores with a raised platform, or pons. This was not the universal rule of an ordinary paired bout.
Some writers treated the retiarius with contempt, but literary judgement is not the same as the response of the whole audience. Inscriptions and images show interest in individual fighters; the absence of a helmet does not establish general unpopularity.
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, Quadrens
- Net
Footwear used in a modern performance is a practical adaptation, not a compulsory part of the ancient kit.
Retiarius,reconstruction
Retiarius,reconstructionRelated topics
- Gladiator
- Manica
- Balteus
- Subligaculum
- Pugio
- Thracian
- Secutor
- Provocator
- Murmillon
- Shoulder Guard
- Trident
Literature and sources
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 retiarius. 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 retiarius. 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
Retiarius. 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
Roman glass with green glaze, decorated with scenes of gladiatorial fights, here secutor and retiarius: circa 2nd century ADInterested in Ancient Rome beyond reading? Join Legio X Fretensis or explore our reenactment directions.
