Essedarius

The Essedarius (Latin, plural Essedarii ) was a Roman gladiator. The name is derived from essedum, a two-wheeled Celtic war chariot. However, since there are no ancient pictures of gladiator battles between chariot drivers, the identification of these gladiator genre for a long time was very problematic. The identification was then derived from a single image of a Essedarius without chariots, which can be seen on a grave stele.

Equipment and armament

The Essedarius was a moderate gladiator. He was armed with a short sword and probably javelins or a short arc. For protection he was wearing a helmet, a medium-sized oval shield, arm protectors ( Manica ) on the sword and short gaiters or bandages on both lower legs. He was dressed in a loincloth ( subligaculum ) and a belt ( Balteus, cingulate ).

Opponent

Essedarii almost always fought against other Essedarii, in rare cases, even against the Retiarius. It is thought that they began their struggle in a chariot and then fought on foot. Furthermore, it is suspected that was omitted in the course of time on the chariot and the battle between Essedarii was only discharged on foot.