Hoplomachus (left) vs thraex (right) (terracotta, British Museum)

The Thraex (pl.: Thraeces), or Thracian, was a type of Roman gladiator, armed in the Thracian style with a small rectangular, square or circular shield called a parmula (about 60 x 65 cm) and a very short sword with a slightly curved blade called a sica (like a small version of the Dacian falx), intended to maim an opponent's unarmoured back. His other armour included armoured greaves, a protective belt above a loincloth, and a helmet with a side plume, visor and high crest. Ludia's female gladiators used the same weapons and armour.

Murmillo (left) defeating a thraex (lying down) (lamp, Louvre)

He and the hoplomachus, with his Greek equipment, were usually pitted against the murmillo, armed like a legionary, mimicking the opposition between Roman soldiers and their various slaves. In essence, these slaves were not trained well and died a gruesome death.

See also

• List of Roman gladiator types
• Spartacus
• Ludus Dacicus

References

• Bronze figurine of a gladiator - British Museum
• Terracotta figurine of 2 gladiators - British Museum
• E. Köhne and C. Ewigleben (eds.). Gladiators and Caesars: The Power of Spectacles in Ancient Rome. London: The British Museum Press, 2000.

External links

• Fresco of a murmillo and Thracian fighting, found in Pompei in 2019