Roman Bronze Gladiator Mount
Circa 1st-2nd century A.D. Modelled in the half-round with hollow reverse and fixing stud; gladiator advancing with a gladius short-sword drawn in right hand, holding a rectangular shield (scutum) and wearing greaves (ocreae); the arm protected by an armoured manica. Cf. Heynowski, R., Bestimmungsbuch Archaeologie: Fibeln, Munich, 2012, item 3.27.5, for type; Gilbert, F., Gladiateurs, chasseurs et condamné á morte, La Capelle-Marival, 2013, pp.138-139. 48 grams, 62 mm (2 1/2 in.).

From the French collection of M Garcia, 1990s.

The gladiator represented here belongs to the class of the scutarii (wearers of big shields) of the familia of the secutor or provocatores. The secutor was the chronological evolution of samnite gladiators. The title of secutor appears historically only in the imperial era and is closely linked to the title of contraretiarius, the retiarius being his true and only opponent. The secutor's armament consisted of the gladius and a large shield, a short ocrea on the left leg and a padded or armoured sleeve with chiroteca to protect his arm and hand.