11-02-2002, 04:10 PM
Suzy:<br>
Using an excellent reproduction of the Zliten gladiators from a Time-Life book, I've blown it up on an enlarger to look for detail. On the left-hand provocator, you can just see the lower right corner of a square breastplate peeking from behind his shield. On the right-hand figure, the cross-straps and buckle of a breastplate are quite clearly visible. Both figures wear a single greave of the intermediate type - it covers the kneecap but is not the lower thigh like the Thracian-hoplomachus type. The intermediate type seems to have been worn only by the provocator. The crests are almost certainly feathers. The helmets look almost like late-madieval armets or close-helms; very odd, but gladiatorial helmets had an exaggerated, bizarre aspect by this time anyway.<br>
And there are lots of gladiator buffs out there. I've researched the subject for several decades, although it's only been in recent years that much information has been available in English. I'd love to visit the mosaic and see it close-up, but until Mr. Ghadaffi steps down for someone less anti-American, I'll give it a pass. <p></p><i></i>
Using an excellent reproduction of the Zliten gladiators from a Time-Life book, I've blown it up on an enlarger to look for detail. On the left-hand provocator, you can just see the lower right corner of a square breastplate peeking from behind his shield. On the right-hand figure, the cross-straps and buckle of a breastplate are quite clearly visible. Both figures wear a single greave of the intermediate type - it covers the kneecap but is not the lower thigh like the Thracian-hoplomachus type. The intermediate type seems to have been worn only by the provocator. The crests are almost certainly feathers. The helmets look almost like late-madieval armets or close-helms; very odd, but gladiatorial helmets had an exaggerated, bizarre aspect by this time anyway.<br>
And there are lots of gladiator buffs out there. I've researched the subject for several decades, although it's only been in recent years that much information has been available in English. I'd love to visit the mosaic and see it close-up, but until Mr. Ghadaffi steps down for someone less anti-American, I'll give it a pass. <p></p><i></i>
