Pre Augustan Gladiators

[Olaf]

Just like the Roman Miles changed in appearance and equipment through the ages, so did the Roman Gladiator change during the centuries.
One of the most interesting periods of Gladiatura might have been the few centuries before the Augustan reforms.
One of the most striking difference between Pre- and Post- Augustan Gladiatura is the apparent length of the weapons and the open faced helmets. As we can deduce from iconography the Gladiators Gladius was of the contemporary military Mainz type, and the protection to the face gradually developed from the usual Cheek-Pieces growing together and finally meeting before the face to create a full visor.

Here are a few iconographic sources of the 1st. century BC:
Provocatores and Murmillo (Roma, Museo Nazionale Romano alla Terme di Diocleziano):

High Res: http://farm1.staticflickr.com/122/294384...7bbd_o.jpg
Equites - note the Lorica Squamata (München Antkenmuseum/Glyphotek):

Equites (Iserna Antiquario Comunale) :

High Res: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2193/24187...939d_o.jpg
Essedarius/Gallus or Provocator? (Iserna Antiquario Comunale):

High Res: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2368/24195...953b_o.jpg
Thraces:

Parmularius:

High Res: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2228/25133...6b13_o.jpg

High Res: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3040/25133...4812_o.jpg
Hoplomachus (Pompeji Archeological Depot):

High Res: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5260/55467...e75f_o.jpg
Thraex and Murmillo:

High Res: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5099/54478...e938_o.jpg
Thraex, Hoplomachus and Essedarii, (Roma - not exhibited as far as I know):


Another common feature is the short Manica resembling the Olympic Caestus glove, as well as the peculiar style of the Subligaculum with knot and sash.