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Amiternum relief
#1
Is the Amiternum relief - http://www.flickr.com/photos/erint/2636254913/ - generally accepted as representing a gladiatorial combat? If so, how common were spear-chucking gladiators with juvenile pages?

I know very little about gladiators, so my apologies if this is a well-rehearsed subject on this forum.
cheers,
Duncan
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#2
Quote:Is the Amiternum relief generally accepted as representing a gladiatorial combat?
Yes, but the gladiators are thought to be the so-called bustuarii, who traditionally fought at a Roman Republican funeral. (The slab was found with an identically-sized funeral relief, thought to depict an early first century BC centurion from Amiternum.)

I would guess that the early date and specialized context excuse the gladiators' lack of similarity to the familiar image of the Neronian-Commodan gladiator. But that's just my guess. :wink:
posted by Duncan B Campbell
https://ninth-legion.blogspot.com/
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#3
Thanks.
cheers,
Duncan
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#4
Yes the scene shows two Bustiari early 1st C. BC. Junkelmann thinks they might be considered as Samnites but can not be sure since we do not have any sure identifications of Samnites.

A detail often overlooked in this relief is that both are also have scabbards with swords at their belts.

The later Essedarii are considered to have begun the fight with Javelins as there are two graohity each showing a Gladiator with an oval shield and something that could be interpreted as a throwing spear.
Olaf Küppers - Histotainment, Event und Promotion - Germany
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