Relief from Seville

[Komanos]

If you'll take a close look, you'll see in fact that the pommel is trilobate, and considering that in combination with the shape of the guard, I'm fairly confident in saying its meant to be a Celtic or heavily Celtic-influenced sword.

[Matthew Amt]

I'd guess it's a hispaniensis. It's certainly not the only depiction of a Roman weapon with a lobed pommel, though of course that doesn't rule out Celtic influence! The guard would fit nicely with rounded blade shoulders.

I don't see much problem with the greaves, or that their presence should imply that the men are gladiators. Unless there is a historical source to the contrary, the abandonment of greaves under Marius is probably one of those modern assumptions that we make. There just aren't enough good illustrations from this era (whatever we decide that is!) to draw too many solid conclusions.

Matthew

[MeinPanzer]

What about the clearly trapezoidal shields? I'm working from memory here, but didn't some kind(s) of gladiators employ trapezoidal shields, perhaps deriving from Samnite influence?

[Paullus Scipio]

Jona wrote:

i find it pretty intrigueing that one of the soldiers appears to be wearing a tunica, and no armor at all.

...and....
Tarbicus wrote:

No, hold on, I just took another look. It looks like a separate garment on top of the tunic. If you look at the figure's right shoulder, and the hem of the tunic.

....and....
Theodosius wrote:

Notice both figures have some kind of fringe on the hem of their tunics ?

I would venture to suggest that both the 'Osuna' relief and the Praetorian depict a cover/tunic worn OVER armour, and that the "fringe" depicts pteruges showing beneath the hem of the tunic, hence both figures are probably meant to show armour beneath a tunic.....

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I'd guess it's a hispaniensis. It's certainly not the only depiction of a Roman weapon with a lobed pommel, though of course that doesn't rule out Celtic influence! The guard would fit nicely with rounded blade shoulders.

I don't see much problem with the greaves, or that their presence should imply that the men are gladiators. Unless there is a historical source to the contrary, the abandonment of greaves under Marius is probably one of those modern assumptions that we make. There just aren't enough good illustrations from this era (whatever we decide that is!) to draw too many solid conclusions.

Matthew

That makes me wonder what precise era these represent. The greaves on both legs certainly intrigue me...

[john m roberts]

I don't see any suggestion of a manica. In the late Republic gladiators wore a short manica covering just the forearm below the elbow, often covering the sword hand as well.

[Scipio Bristolus]

Given that this is sunny Spain could the item worn over the armour be some attempt to reduce the heat absorbed by the hamata? Or it is padded because it was just too darn hot to wear metal armour. Later Spanish cultures wore less armour due to the summer temperatures. Just a thought......