Armor
Posted by MRL on Dec 31st 2006
Spartan ArmorTheir shields consisted of wood and leather with the face completely covered in a thin sheet of stressed bronze (881004), which was enough to strengthen the shield, but did not add so much weight as to make it useless. Each shield was round and
approx 36 - 38 according to some unearthed examples. Legend says that a warrior was given his shield by his mother and instructed to come back with it or on it. The shield was considered...
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The Medieval Tank
Posted by MRL on Dec 31st 2006
During the wild melee of battle, ranks mixed and battle often time broke down into a series of multiple duels or multi-soldier brawls. This confusion was perfect for a man on horseback with a sharp sword. The beast would cut a wide path and he could wade into almost any part of the battle he wanted and when he did you needed him to be from your camp or all was lost. Covered in mail dealing blows down on a lightly armed man the knight on horseback...
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Gladiator Styles & Pairings
Posted by MRL on Dec 31st 2006
Gladiator Mosaic 320-30 AD Villa Borghese
Despite what Hollywood would have you believe, gladiators were not given random weapons, sent into the arena, and told to fight. When someone became a gladiator, they were assigned a specific type and style of fighting and practiced it constantly. A specific type of gladiator only fought another specific type of gladiator as determined by well-established rules. These pairings were intended to pro...
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