Essedarius
The Essedarius ( Latin , plural Essedarii ) was a Roman gladiator . The name is derived from essedum , a two-wheeled Celtic chariot . However, since there are no ancient images of gladiator fights between chariot drivers, the identification of this type of gladiator was very problematic for a long time. The identification was then derived from a single illustration of an Essedarius without a chariot, which can be seen on a grave stele .
Equipment and armament
The Essedarius was a moderate gladiator. He was armed with a short sword and presumably throwing spears or a short bow. For protection, he wore a helmet, an oval, medium-sized shield, armguards ( manica ) on the sword arm and short gaiters or bandages on both lower legs. He was dressed in a loincloth ( subligaculum ) and a belt ( balteus or cingulum ).
opponent
Essedarii almost always fought against other Essedarii, in rare cases also against the Retiarius . It is believed that they began the fight on a chariot and then continued on on foot. It is also assumed that in the course of time the chariots were dispensed with and the fight between Essedarii was only fought on foot.
literature
- Marcus Junkelmann : Playing with death. This is how Rome's gladiators fought . Mainz am Rhein, 2000 ( Ancient World , special issue; Zabern's illustrated books on archeology ), ISBN 3-8053-2563-0 .