Harold Whetstone Johnston wrote in “The Private Life of the Romans”: “ Gladiators fought usually in pairs, man against man, but sometimes in masses (gregatim, catervatim). This process continued until every competitor was dead except for the last man. The armed man of course usually won, but before he had a chance to savor his victory he was stripped of his weapons, which were given to another gladiator, who usually defeated the former victor. In one particularly unfair competition, an unarmed man was pitted against an armed man. Samnites carried a large oblong shield, a sword or spear, and were protected by visored helmets, greaves on their right leg and a protective sleeve on the right arm. Murmillones were the equivalent of heavyweight boxers. Retiarii carried a net and Neptune-like trident and lithely danced around the arena. Opponents were usually chosen by lot and armed according to their respective categories. The combatants fought in specific categories, each with certain rules, weapons and armor. Gladiator mosaic A variety of gladiator contests were staged.
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