Murmillo

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A murmillo defeating a thraex, depicted on a first- or second-century Roman canteen. GladiatorFeldflasche.jpg
A murmillo defeating a thraex, depicted on a first- or second-century Roman canteen.

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 early Gallus, named after the warriors of Gaul. As the Gauls inhabiting Italy had become well integrated with the Romans by the time of the reign of Augustus, it became undesirable to portray them as enemy outsiders;[ dubious ] the Gallus-class gladiator thus had to be retired. [1]

Contents

Gladiator fighting a lion in the Colosseum Lion and Gladiator.jpg
Gladiator fighting a lion in the Colosseum

Equipment and armaments

Modern re-enactment of a murmillo. Mirmillon.jpg
Modern re-enactment of a murmillo.

The murmillo was armed with:

Style

Combat between a Murmillo and a Samnite. Young Folks' History of Rome illus138a.png
Combat between a Murmillo and a Samnite.

The murmillo usually fought the thraex (Thracian) or hoplomachus, with whom he shared some of the equipment (notably arm guards and all-enclosing helmet, and the dangerous short sword). A number of ancient authors, including Valerius Maximus and Quintillian, assert that he also regularly fought the retiarius. It would certainly have been an unusual pairing, contrasting a heavily protected gladiator with a fast but lightly equipped one. It would have been rather appropriate however, to have the retiarius, depicting a fisherman, fighting a Murmillo depicting a fish or sea monster. [2] This pairing is disputed; visual depictions of murmillones usually show them fighting the thraex or hoplomachus rather than the retiarius. [3] :237–238 n14 However, Channel 4's Time Team discovered in Wales a carved penknife handle depicting a retiarius and a murmillo fighting. [4]

The murmillo's fighting style was suited for men with strong arms and shoulders due to carrying the weight of the shield, sword and heavy helmet. As a result, murmillones were usually tall and always very muscular. [5] The murmillo depended on his strength and endurance to survive the battle against foes who were more suited to attacking. The tower shield gave him an edge in defence and the gladius enabled him to thrust and swing at his enemies when in close range. The murmillones were also trained to kick their enemies with the thick padding worn around their legs.

Examples of pairing murmillones with other gladiator types can be seen in frescoes and graffiti in Pompeii. In one well-preserved example, a murmillo named Marcus Atillus, who is credited with one match and one victory, is depicted standing over the defeated figure of Lucius Raecius Felix, a gladiator who is credited with 12 matches and 12 victories. His opponent is shown kneeling, disarmed and unhelmeted. The graffiti records that Felix survived the fight and was granted his freedom ( manumission ). [3] :96–100

See also

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References

  1. Wiedemann, Thomas E. J. Emperors and Gladiators, p. 41. Routledge, 1992. ISBN   0-415-00005-X
  2. Perkins, Coren, Sue, Giles. "Supersizers Eat". dailymotion. Retrieved 26 November 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. 1 2 Futrell, Alison (2006). The Roman Games: A Sourcebook. Oxford: Blackwell. ISBN   978-1-4051-1568-1.
  4. "Time Team". Channel 4. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  5. "Gladiators: Back from were the Dead". DailyMotion. Retrieved 25 March 2017.