Update on the Spatha and Gladius fighting techniques!

[Olaf]

This here is a classical case of misinterpretation and the reason we currently have so many Provocatores doing more shield bashing then attacking with their blades:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40060535@N0..._294384955
As you can see the adversary is resting his shield on the ground and raising his weapons arm to indicate his submission.
Here we have a similar scene, with a Secutor raising his shield in vitory and prone defeated Retiarius submitting.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]
Here a memorial of a Secutor displaying this victory pose:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]
This might actualy be the only depiction of a Gladiator raising his Scutum in a combat situation.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]
But we know this Mosaic has been reconstructed multiple time, so if this was the original scene is not definite.
Even if this is how it was put together out originally the Thraex might actually not be attacking, but toppeling over after a lethal hit, with the Murmillo raising his shield in victory like those above.