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Roman Gladiator Equipment...
#1
Curious... if one was to re-enact Roman Gladiators... what would be the current best supplier for accurate gear?
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#2
It depends on what you call 'best'. AER makes wonderful equipment at good prices, but these helmets will come plain (e.g. without decorations as some of the originals had). There are some people in Europe who make gladiator equipment of all kind of quality and price range.

If you want to use them for combat the only thing I would suggest is to stay away from Deepeeka gear, as it will not be strong enough.
________________________________________
Jvrjenivs Peregrinvs Magnvs / FEBRVARIVS
A.K.A. Jurjen Draaisma
CORBVLO and Fectio
ALA I BATAVORUM
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#3
:grin:
http://www.ancientempiresreproductions.c...ators.html
Christian K.

No reconstruendum => No reconstruction.

Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas.
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#4
Yeah sorry for being vague. I was at work. I had just a quick minute to post. Is there a stateside seller that one could order from? I don't mind venturing out, but I'd very much like to have someone close.

As for "best"... what I meant by that was of solid quality, reputable, and accurate. I have a project I want to do that will entail getting set up as a Murmillo. I'd want to see about getting a close representation but not 100%.
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#5
To get a helmet like the one in your avatar will set you back a tidy sum.
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)

Saepe veritas est dura.
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#6
Plus, it´s a fantasy helmet, methinks. ^^ And certainly not a Murmillo...
Christian K.

No reconstruendum => No reconstruction.

Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas.
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#7
Quote:Plus, it´s a fantasy helmet, methinks. ^^ And certainly not a Murmillo...

Hehe, yeah I have no plans on getting the avatar helmet. It just looked good to use on various forums as an avatar. Supposed to be a statue/figure of some kind. Amazing detail.

The helmet on the AER website looks perfect (don't mind it being plain at all... preferably not bronze, but then that would probably work as well)
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#8
We have in our group a mixture of Deepeeka stuff (bought it way before AER became available and had to do improvements esp. on the helmets), AER stuff and some custom made e.g. my pectorale and my helmet.
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#9
Who do you buy from? I'm hoping for someone here in the US that is a trustworthy retailer.
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#10
Since I am in contact with a few Gladiator Reenactors in the states, I think there are no re sellers of Ancient Empires Reproductions there at the moment.
Most retailers only sell the inaccurate Deepeeka stuff, that is also not sturdy enough if you plan do to full contact fighting.

You will also have to decide on the time period of your Murmillo impression first.
If you want to portrait a Republican Murmillo in the age of Spartacus, you will need an open faced helmet like this one:
[Image: u12.jpg]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

If you want to stay in the 1st century AD, Pompeji time period you can either use the early Chieti type helmet from Ancient Empires Reproductions, with the round eye grills, or a Pompeji type helmet with a bigger visor like this one:
[Image: u9a.jpg]

In a 2nd Century AD context the Berlin Type helmet from either Deepeeka or Ancient Empire Reproductions booth look the part, though the AER helmet is a lot more sturdy then the Deepeeka. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2005-1...helmet.jpg)
Olaf Küppers - Histotainment, Event und Promotion - Germany
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#11
Olaf,

I'd be very interested to learn more about the republican gladiators. Do you have any sources for the open-faced helmet (and perhaps other representations of gladiators from before the Empire)?

Thanks!
M. Caecilius M.f. Maxentius - Max C.

Qui vincit non est victor nisi victus fatetur
- Q. Ennius, Annales, Frag. XXXI, 493

Secretary of the Ricciacus Frënn (http://www.ricciacus.lu/)
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#12
Quote:You will also have to decide on the time period of your Murmillo impression first.

Definitely the 1st AD timeframe. That helmet you posted looks beautiful! Now I had a question that some of you might be able to help with. I have a number of tattoos... most of which are easily covered. On my shoulder I have one that's problematic. Is there any records of left handed gladiators? Those who used a sword in left, shield in right?

As for the equipment... I'll be in touch Olaf for sure.
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#13
Quote:Is there any records of left handed gladiators? Those who used a sword in left, shield in right?

Yes, they were rare and regarded as a special type, but they were known. Don't have the name of it at hand, however.
________________________________________
Jvrjenivs Peregrinvs Magnvs / FEBRVARIVS
A.K.A. Jurjen Draaisma
CORBVLO and Fectio
ALA I BATAVORUM
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#14
"Scaeva" was the term for left-handed gladiators.
Christian K.

No reconstruendum => No reconstruction.

Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas.
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#15
Quote:Who do you buy from? I'm hoping for someone here in the US that is a trustworthy retailer.

I got my pectorale custom made by Matt Lukes, a Canadian who's also here on the forum. That would be favorable for shipment to the US. The helmet was made by a German who doesn't want to make any further gear. Confusedad: And the gladii by a local smith.
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