Masonius as Hoplomachus.
Hoplomachus is a gladiator fighting style representing the Greek, Illyrian and Carthage enemies of Rome. The style was made to resemble a lightly armored spear fighter much like the Greek and Illyrian warriors, the Hoplite. It was needed to replace the Samnite class when it became 'politically incorrect' to portray such allies as enemies.
Equipment[]
Kleitos as the Hoplomachus
The Hoplomachus was armed similar to the Hopilite:
- They were armed with a small parma shield
- A Spear
- Ocrea or arm armor
- Lastly greaves were worn as well
Style[]
This style suited men with long arms and heavy shoulders. Men of this style would normally be short with compact and well toned bodies.
Auctus moves in for the kill.
The Hoplomachus would use his spear's great reach to try to strike down an enemy before they got the chance to fight back. Their spear would also allow them to jab at a defender's shield at range, wearing their opponent's arm and shoulder down and tiring them out before the kill.
If a Hoplomachus' spear was lost or their enemy got too close, they could switch to their sword for short range combat. This also gave them the advantage of being able to quickly switch range from mid (spear) to short (sword), a strategic luxury few other classes afforded.
This style was better fitted to constant attack rather than defending or using agility. Although their small shield afforded less protection than that of some other classes, their lighter equipment did not weigh them down as much and thus they would not tire easily as a more heavily armored opponent.
Trivia[]
- The Hoplomachus Gladiators would have been quite short, around 160cm (5.3 ft) tall unlike other Gladiators who are all over 170cm(5.7 ft) tall.
- On the show, Gods of the Arena, two of the tallest Gladiators in the Ludus (Barca and Auctus) play the Hoplomachus and it seems other Gladiators who play the role are also very tall, such as Pollux.
- Historically, Gladiators were likely banned from trained in Gladiator styles based on their own cultures, and so Auctus (a Greek) and Barca (a Carthaginian) wouldn't have been trained in this style.
Traditional Opponents[]
The Hoplomachus traditionally fought the enemies of Greece:
Known Hoplomachus[]
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