10-12-2011, 09:43 PM
Very interesting observations. One thing I again noticed is how short the Gladius's of the Provocators are, they are little more than Pugio length and since everything else in the relief is in proportion (more of less) can one assume that this was the actual length of the weapon with which the Provocators fought. If so one can imagine that a fight between two heavily encumbered gladiators would be a very up close and personal affair more akin to a wrestling match with daggers as they sought to get in a telling blow either over or around the scutum. Head shots would be rendered somewhat redundant by the heavy helemts and breastplates. Anyone else got any opinions?
Marc Byrne
