09-30-2011, 04:09 PM
I do not think that Gladiatura would have been regarded as fancifull or ineffective by military people.
Actually many permanent Legionary forts had small Amphitheatres.
Gladiator combat was considered a high martial art, so it would be more like MMA fighters instructing the troops in effective Close Combat techniques and not Wrestlers showing them how to fight more spectacular in combat.
The illfated rivercrossing of Othos Gladiator Manipels in the civil war against Vitellius might show that these were indeed considered tough fighters on the battlefield. Though the Gladiators are defeated, it is especially mentioned that this was because of the bad footing provided on their crafts and not because of a lack of fighting skills.
Also Vitellius sends his elite Batavians against them, so he also does not take any chances with Gladaitors as adversaries.
Though a Gladiator was considered Infamia, just like other Romans who had to "sell" their bodies to provide for themselves, he was also expected to exemplify and to aspire to the highest Roman virtues.
So I would expect a pragmatic military Centurion and Miles to have a healthy respect for the special skills a Gladiator would be able to convey to his troops.
Actually many permanent Legionary forts had small Amphitheatres.
Gladiator combat was considered a high martial art, so it would be more like MMA fighters instructing the troops in effective Close Combat techniques and not Wrestlers showing them how to fight more spectacular in combat.
The illfated rivercrossing of Othos Gladiator Manipels in the civil war against Vitellius might show that these were indeed considered tough fighters on the battlefield. Though the Gladiators are defeated, it is especially mentioned that this was because of the bad footing provided on their crafts and not because of a lack of fighting skills.
Also Vitellius sends his elite Batavians against them, so he also does not take any chances with Gladaitors as adversaries.
Though a Gladiator was considered Infamia, just like other Romans who had to "sell" their bodies to provide for themselves, he was also expected to exemplify and to aspire to the highest Roman virtues.
So I would expect a pragmatic military Centurion and Miles to have a healthy respect for the special skills a Gladiator would be able to convey to his troops.
Olaf Küppers - Histotainment, Event und Promotion - Germany
