02-13-2012, 12:26 PM
We know very few deatils about the training of Gladiators.
We also do not have any fencing manuals before the 1300 tower manuscript, but there are a few hints in the textual sources that drills were employed in the training.
What we do know is that training was done with wooden weapons and wicker shields that should weigh more then the real armaments, according to Vegetius. The training against the Palus wooden pole as high as a man can also be verified by textual and iconographic sources. Appart from that one should look into the training implements of ancient Olympic athletes as a guide how the physical fitness was achieved.
We also do not have any fencing manuals before the 1300 tower manuscript, but there are a few hints in the textual sources that drills were employed in the training.
What we do know is that training was done with wooden weapons and wicker shields that should weigh more then the real armaments, according to Vegetius. The training against the Palus wooden pole as high as a man can also be verified by textual and iconographic sources. Appart from that one should look into the training implements of ancient Olympic athletes as a guide how the physical fitness was achieved.
Olaf Küppers - Histotainment, Event und Promotion - Germany
