Gladiators of Pompeii
The Ancients
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The Mermillo Gladiator
The Mermillo was a heavily armoured fighter who fought with a big enclosed helmet that was often decorated with fish motifs. They were commonly pitted against Thracian gladiators who looked quite similar to Mermillos except they had a slightly curved sword called a seeker and a smaller shield. A contrasting equipment was a common feature of gladiatorial fights where a lighter more agile gladiator fought a heavier armed yet slower opponent. This was a deliberate move as combatants tended to be pitted against other fighters that were somewhat equally matched which made this contest between Marcus Atilius and Hilaris all the more extraordinary.
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