Thracian gladiators were one of the four most common gladiatorial groups in Ancient Rome. They evolved during the 2nd century BC when the Romans discovered the race of warriors in the northern Greece region of Thrace.

Gladiators played an important role in the everyday lives of the Roman people. The first private exhibition of gladiators was given at a funeral in 262 BC and soon they became the most popular type of entertainment. The gladiatorial games were financed by wealthy senators and emperors in order the impress the masses and win their support. It was for this reason that each game was intended to be more magnificent and spectacular than the last. The skilled gladiators could become famous, receiving gifts of money for when they retired. An inscription on a wall in Pompeii describes the Thracian gladiators as ‘the sigh and glory of girls’.

The armor of the gladiators was used to helped draw the crowds to the games and their helmets became works of art. Thracian helmets changed a great deal over the centuries, especially during the reign of Emperor Tiberius, which allows them to be dated depending on their features. Earlier helmets have no visor, leaving the eyes exposed to the attacker while the cheeks are covered with plates, and the narrow rim protecting the face like a hat was only slightly curved. On the other hand, more recent helmets contain a grill covering the eye, a wider rim and a more covered neck piece, as shown in the photo.

A distinctive ornament on a Thracian helmet was the silver-plated griffin’s head sitting on top. The griffin was thought to be the animal companion of the goddess Nemesis, the goddess of retribution or vengeance. Other images used included the head of a gorgon, one of the three sisters from Greek mythology who had snakes for hair and the power to turn anyone who looked at her into stone. These ornaments were not the only decorative features used as the helmet may have even been fitted with feathers that sat into the sockets on the side with a detachable plume fixed to the crest. Not only were the helmets designed to make the gladiators appear more aggressive and fearsome but also impressive.

The helmet was a crucial part of the gladiator’s armor. It protected their head, something that the Thracian shield could not do as it was too small and would leave other vulnerable parts of the body exposed when lifted up to cover the face. It also allowed the crowd to distinguish between the gladiators fighting as the carvings and the plumes would have make identification easy. The helmet even played a part in the introduction procession of the gladiators at games as they carried their helmets under their non-weapon arm as part of gladiatorial etiquette.

About the Author
Charlotte Gardner, a guest blog writer, is currently studying archaeology at the Australian National University. In her spare time she likes to read and write about eccentric historical moments. Her love of old buildings and older stories was sparked when she visited Italy. One of Charlotte’s greatest wishes is that in a few thousand years her skeleton will be dug up by an archaeological investigation team and put on display in a national museum. You may contact Charlotte via email at: charlotteg86@gmail.com.

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