A practice bout. This is on gravel, so both gladiators fight wearing light boots. In the arena itself, sand would get into the boots and rapidly progress from an annoyance to a possibly fatal distraction. (Britannia – www.durolitum.co.uk)

A Thracian, with his distinctive curved sword and griffin helmet, clashes with a provocator on the sands of the arena. Note that the Thracian, though usually the more mobile of the pair, has chosen to fight with both legs protected. (Britannia – www.durolitum.co.uk)

A murmillo drops on to one knee for a breather. The swords that these athletes wield weigh several pounds, and even the over-muscled arms of a gladiator soon feel the strain. (Britannia – www.durolitum.co.uk)

Rufus the hoplomachus makes a charge. This ‘Greek-style’ fighter’s gear and fighting technique are as far from that of the original Greek hoplite as the retiarius is from the fisherman he supposedly represents. (Britannia – www.durolitum.co.uk)

Abandon hope, all you who enter here. A murmillo stands guard at the entrance to the arena in Puetoli. Gladiators are also sometimes hired to cause grievous bodily harm outside the arena, if someone of influence requires it. (Ludus Nemesis – www.ludus-nemesis.eu)

Medusa the provocatorix prepares for combat, gently tapping the flat of her sword against her lavishly ornamented shield. Anonymous in her helmet, she relies on the shield to identify her to her fans in the audience. (Ludus Nemesis – www.ludus-nemesis.eu)

While those in the imperial ludi perform in the Flavian Amphitheatre, others working the country circuits find a smaller audience in impromptu arenas constructed outside the town walls. (Ludus Nemesis – www.ludus-nemesis.eu)

Charun finishes off a mortally wounded man. Generally, a dying gladiator is hospitalized and treated with care. However, a violent criminal sentenced to die by the sword merits no such consideration. (Britannia – www.durolitum.co.uk)

Audax the secutor poses menacingly, his chest smeared with (someone else’s) blood. One wonders whether the small tridents decorating his shield each denote a fallen retiarius opponent. (Britannia – www.durolitum.co.uk)

A murmillo duel, before a fascinated audience. Cognoscenti among the spectators debate technical points of the duel, such as whether the armoured manica is superior to the more flexible padded version. (Britannia – www.durolitum.co.uk)

The stands are packed as retiarus squares off against secutor. Note the secutor’s wide belt, which both provides support and protects the intestines and lower spine. His shield is of a quality the average legionary can only dream about. (Britannia – www.durolitum.co.uk)

The summa rudis watches intently as these two gladiators clash. If the fight has to be stopped for any reason, it is his job to step between the sharp swords and get two highly excited and very dangerous men off each other’s throats. (Britannia – www.durolitum.co.uk)

Alexander the retiarius prepares to meet a charging opponent. Note how the shoulder shield is turned for maximum protection, while the net slyly sweeps across the grass below the helmeted Thracian’s field of view. (Britannia – www.durolitum.co.uk)

Women practise sparring. While they are not in gladiator gear, it is obvious that gladiator fever is not limited to the male gender. Even aristocratic ladies might occasionally practise a bit of swordplay in the comfort and privacy of home. (Britannia – www.durolitum.co.uk)