05-10-2013, 06:25 PM
Without some kind of common rule, style, weapon regulations, and codes of conduct, there could not be an effective inter-group "league" of gladiators. All would have to train the same way, have the same level of commitment, and the same scoring/victory system. Without those things, it would become less entertaining for the crowds, and more dangerous for those who had trained under different systems.
It's a great idea, and would generate considerable interest and entertainment for the public spectators and reenactor alike. How do do it with relatively little blood shed is the big stopper. We had a needledfelt gladiator group for a while, and the public didn't mind that the weapons were harmless. We had a couple of people injured by falling badly, by getting a mouthful of shield edge, and bad deflections of spear thrusts, etc. With harder tipped mock weapons, the injury predictions would necessarily go up and up. The closer the combatants get to the "real thing", the more likely the "real eventuality" would become reality.
Just an old man's musings, though. Retired retarius.
It's a great idea, and would generate considerable interest and entertainment for the public spectators and reenactor alike. How do do it with relatively little blood shed is the big stopper. We had a needledfelt gladiator group for a while, and the public didn't mind that the weapons were harmless. We had a couple of people injured by falling badly, by getting a mouthful of shield edge, and bad deflections of spear thrusts, etc. With harder tipped mock weapons, the injury predictions would necessarily go up and up. The closer the combatants get to the "real thing", the more likely the "real eventuality" would become reality.
Just an old man's musings, though. Retired retarius.
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
