Roman Gladiator

Sculpture of a secutor gladiator. By the time the Colosseum opened circa 80 A.D., gladiators were organised into different classes and types. *Secutor* gladiators were a class of gladiators that pursued the *retiarius*. The *retiarius* was a lightly armoured Roman gladiator who fought with equipment styled to that of a fisherman, often with a trident and a net.

In English, the word *secutor* means chaser, which perfectly describes the fighting style of this ancient gladiator, as their job was to chase the *retiarius* around the arena.

*Secutors* traditionally wore loincloths or a *subligaculum* and wide belts, and their right arm was usually protected by a *manica*, a piece of armour that covered the entire arm. They carried a curved rectangular shield or *scutum* and a sword or *gladius* to protect themselves. However, what distinguished them most from other classes of gladiators was their helmets. The *sectors* completely enveloped the head, with small eye holes and a limited field of view.