The Real Gladiator by Tony Sullivan;

Author:Tony Sullivan;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Military
Publisher: Casemate Publishers & Book Distributors, LLC
Published: 2022-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

Conclusion

A fitting way to end this chapter is to lay out the most likely scenarios for an historically accurate battle scene, as opposed to the fictional representation in Gladiator. First, the Romans were not invincible. However, they did have the clear advantage in open country where their legions could form up. If the Germans wished to attack a fortified location, it is highly unlikely they would advertise their presence first. Far more likely they would attempt a surprise attack, preferably at night as at the camp opposite the town of Augusta Treverorum. Alternatively, they might attempt an ambush hoping for a another Teutoburg Forest. However, as we saw with Germanicus a few years later, even that did not guarantee success. The best that could be said for the opening scene of Gladiator is perhaps that they wished to lure the Romans into the forest – although the presence of Roman cavalry unrealistically charging through dense woods suggests otherwise.

Second, the Romans would be unlikely to leave a fortified place. If they sallied out they would advance with auxiliary or light troops. They used specialist troops extensively and so would no doubt have other Germanic tribesmen enlisted in auxiliary cohorts they could send in. A far more likely scenario would have been a Roman army deep within Marcomannic territory, destroying the remnants of resistance.

Regarding the fighting, the armour and shields would work more often than not. Sword slashes do not penetrate steel armour, whether mail or lorica segmentata. Even thrusts of sword or spear would be unlikely to do so, although the latter especially might break ribs or at least knock the wind out of someone. Shields largely did their job well, especially if covered in hide. Yet pila would penetrate several inches, making them useless. Helmets too would have caused blows to glance off, but a direct hit, especially with an axe, could easily be fatal. Those without any armour would have been horribly exposed. Severed limbs and head injuries would have been common. The Romans would have at least attempted to keep their formation.

I am not sure this would have been any less entertaining. An engagement in open field might have had the Romans in a tight formation with two lines of eight men deep, fronted by auxiliaries. Germanic warriors, many wearing mail, might have attempted a boar’s head wedge attack. Breaking through the auxiliaries it might have been met with hail of pila before smashing into a wall of heavy infantry with the men behind holding the belts of those in front.

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