02-28-2002, 07:31 PM
Hello<br>
<br>
The approaches to the combat is very much driven by the different weapons and shields.<br>
<br>
Without going into specifics at this stage we are finding all manner of statndard thoughts do not hold up to regular thought as well as perhaps we generally believe as we read books. I think that this is in part due to the fact that a good deal of people that write books about the subject are historians. While there is nothing wrong with historians - let's face facts without them we wouldn't have this hobby - I feel that quite often they can stray from the historical record when they talk about the practicalities of the actual combat when they have had no real combat experience in real life or reeactment.<br>
<br>
Before continuing I want to state for the record that I have nothing against academics nor consider hostorical researchers less or more than people that pick stuff up and have a go, I have seen far too many arguments about that in the short time I have done reenactment to start one here.<br>
<br>
But as an example of what I mean let us consider the Thracian stye of gladiator. Many books will state that they really heavily upon speed of movement and light armour. Consequently they rely upon devastating speed in their attacks that others cannot muster. However in our experiments when armoured as a Thracian defence is an easy consideration due to the light shield. It can be used to tremendous effect as it can be moved so quickly giving a sometimes greater defence than the large scutum user. And allowing a greater variation in its use and movement.<br>
<br>
Meanwhile we are taught by many that scutarii like the Murmillo and Secutor would rely upon the huge defense of their shield, but again we can often find the reverse to be true, leading into combat with the shield can cause panic in the supposed faster opponent as they loose complete vision of their opponent and the fact that the scutum can easily bind weapons and shield in a second allowing the supposed defending scutarii to almost pick where he would place his shot.<br>
<br>
Secondly, we have found that the gladius is a tremendous slashing weapon with certain considerations taken into account. Supposed, recieved wisdom tells us that the gladius was purely a thrusting weapon. Yet so many gladiatorial images have the weapons being used to strike with the blade edge. However, very few finishing blows are carried out with the edge. In our work we have found that the speed that the gladius can be used at can be easily applied to tangle the opponent under a carefully laid combination of attacks, thus opening them up for a fateful thrust or draw. It is this that I believe we see illustrated in a great many images left us.<br>
<br>
Now this is without evening starting to consider what I think was one of the nastiest weapons in the arena - the sica. Standard defences where useless against this weapon. If used on the cut the pressure in the point would be multiplied by the angle of the blade. If used to thrust or draw it easily passes shields but still strikes flesh.<br>
<br>
I have tried to allude to this in my essay on the stance we have called the Classic Stance, we are working on a series of doctrines that we are subscribing to in the combat we reflect as we believe this will help us train but more importantly allow our techniques to be better criticised by people, the first one can be found here.<br>
<br>
www.ludus.org.uk/r/essayclassicstance.html <br>
<br>
I hope that this helps a little, please feel free to ask away, it is always nice to share what we are trying to achieve and get some feedback.<br>
<br>
Yours<br>
<br>
Graham <p></p><i></i>
<br>
The approaches to the combat is very much driven by the different weapons and shields.<br>
<br>
Without going into specifics at this stage we are finding all manner of statndard thoughts do not hold up to regular thought as well as perhaps we generally believe as we read books. I think that this is in part due to the fact that a good deal of people that write books about the subject are historians. While there is nothing wrong with historians - let's face facts without them we wouldn't have this hobby - I feel that quite often they can stray from the historical record when they talk about the practicalities of the actual combat when they have had no real combat experience in real life or reeactment.<br>
<br>
Before continuing I want to state for the record that I have nothing against academics nor consider hostorical researchers less or more than people that pick stuff up and have a go, I have seen far too many arguments about that in the short time I have done reenactment to start one here.<br>
<br>
But as an example of what I mean let us consider the Thracian stye of gladiator. Many books will state that they really heavily upon speed of movement and light armour. Consequently they rely upon devastating speed in their attacks that others cannot muster. However in our experiments when armoured as a Thracian defence is an easy consideration due to the light shield. It can be used to tremendous effect as it can be moved so quickly giving a sometimes greater defence than the large scutum user. And allowing a greater variation in its use and movement.<br>
<br>
Meanwhile we are taught by many that scutarii like the Murmillo and Secutor would rely upon the huge defense of their shield, but again we can often find the reverse to be true, leading into combat with the shield can cause panic in the supposed faster opponent as they loose complete vision of their opponent and the fact that the scutum can easily bind weapons and shield in a second allowing the supposed defending scutarii to almost pick where he would place his shot.<br>
<br>
Secondly, we have found that the gladius is a tremendous slashing weapon with certain considerations taken into account. Supposed, recieved wisdom tells us that the gladius was purely a thrusting weapon. Yet so many gladiatorial images have the weapons being used to strike with the blade edge. However, very few finishing blows are carried out with the edge. In our work we have found that the speed that the gladius can be used at can be easily applied to tangle the opponent under a carefully laid combination of attacks, thus opening them up for a fateful thrust or draw. It is this that I believe we see illustrated in a great many images left us.<br>
<br>
Now this is without evening starting to consider what I think was one of the nastiest weapons in the arena - the sica. Standard defences where useless against this weapon. If used on the cut the pressure in the point would be multiplied by the angle of the blade. If used to thrust or draw it easily passes shields but still strikes flesh.<br>
<br>
I have tried to allude to this in my essay on the stance we have called the Classic Stance, we are working on a series of doctrines that we are subscribing to in the combat we reflect as we believe this will help us train but more importantly allow our techniques to be better criticised by people, the first one can be found here.<br>
<br>
www.ludus.org.uk/r/essayclassicstance.html <br>
<br>
I hope that this helps a little, please feel free to ask away, it is always nice to share what we are trying to achieve and get some feedback.<br>
<br>
Yours<br>
<br>
Graham <p></p><i></i>
