“Jugula!” – Murmillo Vs. Retiarius

The Murmillo (also sometimes spelled mirmillo or myrmillo, pl. murmillones) was a type of gladiator during the Roman Imperial age. The murmillo-class gladiator was adopted in the early Imperial period to replace the earlier Gallus, named after the warriors of Gaul.

Wore a helmet with a stylized fish on the crest (the Mormylos or Sea fish), as well as an arm guard (Manica). They carried a gladius and an oblong shield in the Gallic style. They were paired with Hoplomachi or Thraces.

The Retiarius (plural retiarii; literally, “net-man” or “net-fighter” in Latin) was a gladiator who fought with equipment styled on that of a fisherman: a weighted net (Rete, hence the name), a three-pointed trident (Fuscina or tridens), and a dagger (Pugio). The Retiarius was lightly armoured, wearing an arm guard (Manica) and a shoulder guard (Galerus). Typically, his clothing consisted only of a loincloth (Subligaculum) held in place by a wide belt, or of a short tunic with light padding. He wore no head protection or footwear.