Introduction
Among the different types of Roman gladiators, the secutor stood as a formidable force, named for their relentless pursuit of opponents across the sands of the arena. The very essence of a secutor's style was encapsulated in their moniker, derived from the Latin for 'chaser' or 'pursuer'.
Their role in the grand spectacle of gladiatorial combat was not just a display of brute strength, but also a performance embodying mythical narratives. The secutor, symbolizing the god of fire, typically clashed with the retiarius gladiator, who represented the god of the sea, in a dramatic reenactment of elemental conflict. This classic pairing was a crowd favorite.
Jerónimo Roure Pérez, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A helmet of a secutor gladiator found in Pompeii
These heavily armoured gladiators were distinct in their appearance, easily recognized by their specialized helmet and armor. Their method of combat was aggressive, often involving pushing into their adversary to disrupt balance and gain the upper hand. Not only were these battles a form of entertainment but, as alluded to above, they also carried a symbolic weight, echoing the eternal struggle between opposing forces such as fire and water.
The secutor's role in these spectacles was paramount, offering spectators a glimpse into a world where the powers of the Roman gods were made manifest through the actions of mere mortals. Their clashes in the arena were more than just fights; they were storied battles that captured the imagination of ancient Rome's citizens, ensuring the secutor's place in history as one of the most iconic of all Roman gladiators.
The Weapons and Armor of the Secutor Gladiator
The secutor gladiator was a vision of martial prowess, equipped for combat with a formidable array of weapons and armor designed for both offense and protection. As a gladiator of the Roman Empire, they carried a short sword, known as a gladius, paired with a large shield (scutum) to fend off the blows of their adversaries.
Their armor was tailored for maximum efficiency in the heat of battle, allowing them to engage in close-quarters combat with lethal precision, while at the same time maintaining a sturdy defense against incoming attacks.
The Distinctive Helmet with Narrow Eye Slots
A defining feature of the secutor gladiator was their distinctive helmet; crafted to protect the head while offering minimal opportunity for an opponent's weapon to strike a fatal blow. The helmet was characterized by its narrow eye holes which, although it limited the gladiator's field of vision, provided a smaller target for their enemies.
Shield and Gladius
In the hands of a secutor, the large scutum shield afforded significant protection while also being used offensively to push and unbalance the opponent. The gladius, a staple among famous gladiators, as well as Roman legionary soldiers of course, was ideal for quick, thrusting strikes designed to penetrate the defenses of the retiarius gladiator, or any other foe that entered the arena against them.
Legendary Battles and Rivalries
Throughout the era of gladiatorial combat, countless secutores etched their names into the annals of history through legendary battles and rivalries. These combats were not only a test of individual skill but also a grand theater that captivated the masses. The tales of their exploits traversed beyond the walls of the amphitheaters, contributing to the lore of ancient Roman history and the enduring fascination with these ancient athletes.
These celebrated warriors are remembered for their prowess in the arena, their battles serving as a testament to the might of the secutor class. Their stories continue to captivate historians and enthusiasts alike, keeping the memory of these formidable fighters alive through the centuries.
Flamma: The Fearless Champion
Flamma stands among the pantheon of celebrated secutores as a fearless champion, renowned for his skill and determination within the bloodstained arenas of ancient Rome. His reputation was built on a foundation of numerous victories, which earned him a place in history as one of the most successful and respected gladiators of his time.
A secutor by specialization, Flamma was distinguished not just by his prowess in combat, but also by his remarkably long career in the deadly games of ancient Rome. Historical records suggest he fought in the arena 34 times, claiming victory in 21 of those battles, enduring draws in 9, and experiencing defeat on 4 occasions (although obviously neither killed in the fighting or at the behest of the crowd in the arena).
What sets Flamma apart from his contemporaries was not merely his skill and strength in combat but his repeated refusal of the rudis, the wooden sword symbolizing a gladiator's freedom. This decision to remain within the arena, despite having earned his release, speaks to a complex interplay of personal honor, dedication to the gladiatorial art, and perhaps a sense of identity and fame found only through being a famous gladiator.
Flamma's legacy is a testament to the gladiatorial spirit, embodying the paradoxes of gladiatorial combat: the quest for freedom through enslavement to the fight, and the search for life in the shadow of death. His choice to continue fighting, turning down freedom four times, underscores the depth of his commitment to the gladiator's path. It hints at a profound connection to the arena as a place of personal triumph and public acclaim, a stage where the mortal stakes of combat were intertwined with the immortality of legend.
Was Emperor Commodus a Secutor Gladiator?
Emperor Commodus, who reigned from 180 to 192 AD, is famous for his participation in gladiatorial combats, an unusual and scandalous activity for a Roman emperor. (This historical aspect of Commodus' life was dramatized in the film Gladiator starring Joaquin Phoenix, where Commodus is portrayed as a villain who not only engages in gladiatorial combat but also faces off against the film's protagonist, Maximus (Russell Crowe), in the arena.)
However, his choice of gladiatorial persona was not limited to that of a secutor. Commodus fancied himself as Hercules, adopting the attributes and symbols of the demigod in both his public appearances and in the arena. He is known to have participated in various types of combats, both as a gladiator and in beast hunts (venationes).
In his gladiatorial appearances, Commodus would have worn armor and wielded weapons appropriate to different types of gladiators, depending on the nature of the spectacle and his choice of role for each event. While he might have fought in styles resembling those of a secutor or other types of gladiators, his depiction as a secutor specifically is not well-documented. Commodus, in his quest for glory and to embody the image of Hercules, likely varied his armament and style to showcase his prowess and divine favor.
Commodus' participation in the arena was part of a broader pattern of behavior that flaunted traditional Roman values and the dignity of the imperial office. His actions in the arena, along with his autocratic rule, eventually contributed to his assassination in 192 AD.
His portrayal in later histories and in popular culture, such as in the movie "Gladiator" mentioned above, has been influenced by the ancient sources that depict him as a tyrant who sought to associate himself closely with the gods and the arena, blurring the lines between the ruler and the entertainer, the divine and the mortal.
Whether Commodus butchered his opponents (as sometimes suggested in the Historia Augusta and by Cassius Dio), or allowed them to submit with honor (as reported by Herodian), there is little question that he appeared in personal combat on many occasions. The Historia Augusta reports that Commodus engaged in gladiatorial bouts 735 times, but Cassius Dio suggests far more:
"[Commodus] actually cut off the head of the Colossus (Nero's statue outside the Colosseum), and substituted for it a likeness of his own head; then, having given it a club and placed a bronze lion at its feet, so as to cause it to look like Hercules, he inscribed on it: "Champion of secutores; only left-handed fighter to conquer twelve times (as I recall the number) one thousand men."
