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History => Ancient and Medieval History => Topic started by: Duncan Head on October 11, 2019, 02:18:30 PM

Title: New Pompeii fresco of fighting gladiators
Post by: Duncan Head on October 11, 2019, 02:18:30 PM
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/11/pompeii-dig-unearths-fighting-fresco-gladiators-tavern
Title: Re: New Pompeii fresco of fighting gladiators
Post by: Erpingham on October 11, 2019, 02:38:25 PM
That's very fine.  One wonders how the loser got a wound on his shield arm.
Title: Re: New Pompeii fresco of fighting gladiators
Post by: Patrick Waterson on October 11, 2019, 07:15:23 PM
Quote from: Erpingham on October 11, 2019, 02:38:25 PM
One wonders how the loser got a wound on his shield arm.

At a guess, his opponent slit the shield strap when they were corps-a-corps, hence the shield lying on the ground.  Gladiators did not always 'fight fair', and the arena doubtless saw many a cunning plan unexpectedly implemented, presumably to the delight of the audience.