Thracian
The thraex was a gladiatorial equipment class with a small shield, curved sica and two high greaves. The designation does not mean that every fighter came from Thrace.
The enclosed helmet often had a high crest, with a griffin on some examples. A manica protected the right arm, and clothing included a loincloth and belt. The small shield and high greaves distinguished the thraex from the murmillo, one of his usual opponents. The thraex was a separate equipment class, not simply a subtype of murmillo.
Bas-relief with a Thracian. Found in Ephesus. Ephesus Museum. Turkey. 1-3 century AD
Oil lamp with Thracian. Romano-Germanic Museum,Cologne,1st-2nd century AD
Mosaic with Thracian in decorated Balthea. Saint-Rémi Museum,Reims,France. 2-3 century ADSpartacus
Spartacus came from Thrace, but his origin does not prove that he fought in thraex equipment. Plutarch and Appian describe his time at a school in Capua and the revolt of 73–71 BC; they do not provide a securely established complete arena kit. Details about repeated sales into slavery, his age on entering the school and a privileged private room should not be presented as established facts.
Equipment
Thracian Equipment: - Gladiator Helmet Type III - Liner - Manica - Ocrea - Balteus - Subligaculum - Sica,Gladius,Pugio - Scutum Footwear used in a modern performance is a practical adaptation, not a compulsory part of the ancient kit.
Related topics
- Gladiator
- Sica
- Helmet
- Manica
- Ocrea
- Balteus
- Subligaculum
- Gladius
- Pugio
- Murmillo
- Retiarius
- Secutor
- Hoplomachus
Literature and sources
Bas-relief with a Thracian. Found in Ephesus. Ephesus Museum. Turkey. 1-3 century AD
Terracotta figurines of Thracian and Murmillo,1-2 century AD.
Oil lamp with a gladiator duel. 1-2 century AD
Tombstone stele of a Thracian gladiator. Grey marble. Inv. № Ma 4492 (MND 711). Paris,Louvre Museum. 3rd century AD
Bas-relief with a Thracian. Found in Ephesus. Antalya Museum. Inv. no. 715. 1-3 century AD
Sketch from the bas-relief of the Thracian gladiator Marcus Antonius Exochus. Early 2nd century AD
Statuette of a Thracian,150-200 AD,online auction,http://ancientpoint.com,ID 120974.
Thracian,1-2 century AD,135 mm with stand,bronze. British Museum,London.
Thracian,1-2 century BC,96 mm,bronze. British Museum,London.
Thracian,1-2 century AD,90 mm,copper alloy. British Museum,London.
Bronze statuette of a gladiator,presumably Thracian. Egypt. 1-2 century AD
Fragment of an oil lamp with gladiators. 1-2 century AD
Bas-relief with a Thracian. Found in Smyrna (Izmir). National Museum of Antiquities,Leiden,Netherlands. 3rd century AD
Fragment of a fresco from Pompeii. Mid-1st century AD
Image of a Thracian on an oil lamp. 50-150 AD
Bronze statuette with a Thracian. 1-2 century ADInterested in Ancient Rome beyond reading? Join Legio X Fretensis or explore our reenactment directions.
