Gladiator’s ready!
April 26, 2011 Blogs, Special events, Specialist projectsAs we prepare for our spectacular Gladiator Games in July, thanks to our friends at Britannia, we can share with you this insight as our warriors train for combat:
“We have undertaken our second major training session of the year as we prepare for the Guildhall show and we’re certainly moving things along.
At our training ground, we were able to mock up an area with ropes and spikes that should match the dimensions of the Guildhall arena.
We’ve also started to stream gladiators into categories, recognising where people’s strengths and skills best match the weapons and equipment to be used on the day.
In total 22 gladiators ( 11 pairs of varied age and size) worked through the heat of the weekend of the 16th and 17th April.
We have two promising recruits to the category of Retiarius gladiators to keep our senior Retiarius, Ferrox, company. They showed excellent promise with the net and trident.
Our biggest surprise over the weekend was a young lad who exceeded everyone’s expectations as one of the best Thraex gladiators we’ve seen. He has little experience (apart from playing rugby) but has proved swift and confident with the curved sword (Sica) and was able to match a very experienced Hoplomachus to give a varied and exciting performance that had us all cheering!
We initially train with what looks like an odd combination of 21st century clothes and gradually introduce elements of equipment and armour.
We feel that comfort and getting participants used to the armour, belts and weapons is vital for a good performance.
We then sort our trainees into categories, let them work out a basic routine, then get them kitted up…
They soon realise how they are inhibited or indeed enhanced by what they intend to wear, then adjustments are made accordingly.
We finished the weekend with a full walk-through and individual combats to match the timetable on the day.”
Find out more about our gladiators via their website here and look out for further updates coming soon to our blog, as the gladiators undertake media appearances and visit their armourer’s workshop.
Gerry Fox :
Date: July 4, 2011 @ 7:50 pm
Fascinating – can’t wait to see more posts…wish I could catch the combats in Londinium!
Ted Heath :
Date: July 27, 2011 @ 10:35 pm
what a splendid idea and one which will enliven an interest in History with the disaffected young people of today.
What a pity it is so expensive though. Like entry to Windsor, Buckingham palace and other English sites, the sum required is a large chunk from a pension , or indeed from todays average household budget. But I wish the enterprise every success.
Kate Head :
Date: July 31, 2011 @ 9:26 am
Brilliant event – worth every denari (if not several aurei).
Many thanks to all who took part, especially the “Living History” stalls (hidden round the side and back of the western bank of seats – possible sign posting next year?)
Kate Head :
Date: July 31, 2011 @ 9:27 am
Of course I meant “worth every denarii”!
John Joyce :
Date: August 1, 2011 @ 10:23 am
Thanks Kate, glad to hear you enjoyed the games! Have passed on your feedback to our organisers.