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Thracian vs Hoplonachus
#1
Did we have a debate on this pairing whwere it was suggested that there are no images where a spear is used so it may well be that they went at it sword & shield only ?
Conal Moran

Do or do not, there is no try!
Yoda
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#2
Perhaps you had, but if this was the conclusion, it was wrong:
the hoplomachus is shown with a spear at "Graffito from Pompei, Casa del Obellio Firmo.
Also a small miniatur for kids from the late 1. century a.c. show him with a spear, you can see it in Berlin, Antikensammlung
A possible long weapon is shown on a lamp, also 1. century, seeable in Germain en Laye, Musée des Antiquités


And the most famous evidence: Fresco from Villa Mechern near Merzig (Germany), 2. century a.c., it shows a hoplomachus against a Murmillo.

Hope it was helpful
real Name Tobias Gabrys

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#3
I am happy that a spear was used against Myrmillos but do any of the illustrations showing a Hoplo vs Thracian show a spear being used ?
Conal Moran

Do or do not, there is no try!
Yoda
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#4
I seem to remember seeing a thracian holding his face with blood streaming down his neck and hands with the on looking hoplo leaning on a bloodied spear, but I would need to see the picture again to be sure of the injured mans type ... its in the Junkelmann book.
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#5
An illustration out of the Landesmuseum Trier, seen in Junkelmanns Book "Das Spiel mit dem Tod", show a victorios Hoplom. above a Thraex and both just wear swords and shields, if ya mean this.

At the relief of Augst (Basel in Switzerland) its shown a hoplom. with spear against another gladiator. Junkemann declare it as Myrmillo, but in my opinion the helm isnt clear and for me it seems to be two leggears. So it coul be evidence, but really interpretationable.

I think, its quite hard to make a clear statement right out of this.
The most pictures show the hoplom. with spear, either their alone or not, but its quite possible, that the summa rudi let him thrown away for a fight under parmulari to get fairness (the most important thing in the gladiatura).
But its also possible, that the spear just had the habbit to break in this kind of fight.

So, this will be one of these questions, that wont get a clear answer anyway.
real Name Tobias Gabrys

Flavii <a class="postlink" href="http://www.flavii.de">www.flavii.de
& Hetairoi <a class="postlink" href="http://www.hetairoi.de">www.hetairoi.de
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