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Laquerii
#1
Greetings.

Does anyone know of any images depicting Laquerii, the chaps who wielded a lasso or noose :?:

The closest i have seen are from the Villa Borghese (my periods late Roman) which depicts several guys in what look like Roman jump suits fighting a bear with what look like whips.

Another similar image shows two gladiators fighting each other with whips in the right hand and a small club in the left. The left arm is also encased in a 'fabric?' arm guard.

Any clues as i wanted to make a Laquerii lasso this season, having some nice braided hemp rope and leather spare.

Cheers Big Grin
Kuura/Jools Sleap.

\'\'\'\'Let us measure our swords, appraise our blades\'\'\'\' The Kalevala.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/">http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/
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#2
I checked my copy of "Das Spiel mit dem Tod" by Marcus Junkelmann and even he is very short on this topic and only writes that the only definite primary source is a tale by Isidor of Sevilla (Origines 18.56)

Quote:LVI. DE LAQVEARIIS. [1] Laqueariorum pugna erat fugientes in ludo homines iniecto laqueo inpeditos consecutosque prostrare amictos umbone pellicio.

This Latin text describes how the laquearii caught people fleeing in the arena with their laqueum (lasso). This is the only time this type of gladiator is mentioned therefore there is no clue how the lasso was made etc.
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#3
Thanks Svenja.

I found out a few other bits of info but its all rather vague. Apparently a spear was used as a secondary or perhaps primary weapon, i for one wouldn't fancy going up against the likes of a Murmillo armed with a bit of string :?

In fact i made a lasso with some hempo rope this weekend and equipped my kids with plastic swords. I was brought down in a matter of seconds by a 3 year old Confusedhock:
I think your only chance of success would be as part of a team, snaring people unawares.
Kuura/Jools Sleap.

\'\'\'\'Let us measure our swords, appraise our blades\'\'\'\' The Kalevala.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/">http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/
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#4
If you wanna use a spear, I would suggest you go as a hoplomachus who also had a little round shield and a dagger. At least this type is a little bit better documented that the laquearius.
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#5
At least it would be possible to reenact an essedarius, which also fought with a spear and a larger shield, but we still have problems to identify him and his kind of fight clearly.

Also bustarii would be possible, they seemd to use iacula or hastae.


I personally think, the laequearii were a part of the show, but no gladiatores. The lassos only would give an "acrobatic" touch in the fights.
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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#6
To me it seems that he also might have had something to do with the execution of noxii because the text I'd quoted referred to fugitives. Therefore he then definitely doesn't have anything to do with the actual gladiatorial fights.
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#7
The only hint to laequearii is this famous mosaic (which name i ve forgotten right now, so famous it is...)
I never heared about criminals and their dead shown in a mosaic in a villa Smile
And also it would be the longest way to death for untrained men to get their enemies with a lasso they never used before and try to strangulat.
So it seems to me more a kind of acrobatic entertainment.
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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#8
Junkelmann only states that B. Maiuri wanted to see in the fourth group of fighters on the relief of the Stabian Gate laquearii but that Facenna already disproved of that and identified this group of fighters as paegniarii. Maybe I have some other moment time to check the other books but in the Junkelmann these things are usually so easy to find while you have to browse through the other books nearly completely if you're looking for a certain thing.
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#9
Ah, yes your right Aelia, the mosaic i had for my eyes were the Nenning paegniarii. Damn i become old...
Ok, so there dosnt seems to be any evidence for that guys, cause Isidor was a bishop out of the 6th century who isnt a serious source for gladiatorial or muneral reports.
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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#10
I had a reply from the group Familia Gladiatoria today http://www.gladiator.at/index2en.html

They are researching the Laquerii for their shows but state (fortunately or unfortunately for me) that this type of gladiator was only used in the early Empire and not the later Empire which is my period. Apparently Laquerii were only used in the south-eastern provinces so may have been of Balkan origins.
Kuura/Jools Sleap.

\'\'\'\'Let us measure our swords, appraise our blades\'\'\'\' The Kalevala.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/">http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/
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#11
Did they told you any sources for that?
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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#12
Didn't the Huns use a lasso as a weapon ?

I am of the opinion that if such a thing was used it is likley to have been used from horseback and not in fights but either as an exhibition.
Conal Moran

Do or do not, there is no try!
Yoda
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#13
Quote:Did they told you any sources for that?

Unfortunately not :wink:
Kuura/Jools Sleap.

\'\'\'\'Let us measure our swords, appraise our blades\'\'\'\' The Kalevala.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/">http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/
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#14
Quote:Didn't the Huns use a lasso as a weapon ?

I am of the opinion that if such a thing was used it is likley to have been used from horseback and not in fights but either as an exhibition.


I can't see it being much use on foot, its not as aggressive as a retarius and net, you need to run away very quickly in order to gather up the lasso and by the time you prepare for the next throw....your dead :twisted:

At least that was my experience. Its a one shot, one hit if your lucky novelty weapon, spear or not.
Kuura/Jools Sleap.

\'\'\'\'Let us measure our swords, appraise our blades\'\'\'\' The Kalevala.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/">http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/
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#15
I have seen a picture of an 18th century copy of a Pompeii painting which shows two people dressed essetially as Retiarius but shown as having spears.

No lasso visible though.
Conal Moran

Do or do not, there is no try!
Yoda
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