Spartacus' army

[Pattus Magnus]

He’s one of the little known gladiator types called an ‘agricolus’, who fought in staged bouts using only farm implements. The bouts were very popular in rural areas, but were banned in 52AD after being linked to several riots by agricultural labourers. The government of the time also introduced reforms in the design of agricultural tools, such as the tineless pitchfork, but those measures were discontinued following dramatic reductions in productivity and the severe grain riots of 53AD. The agricolii gladiators never regained their standing and faded from history, but it is thought that the tradition may have been carried on in frontier areas in the north and provided the inspiration for the sport of hurling and eventually ice hockey.

[Easy E]

He’s one of the little known gladiator types called an ‘agricolus’, who fought in staged bouts using only farm implements. The bouts were very popular in rural areas, but were banned in 52AD after being linked to several riots by agricultural labourers. The government of the time also introduced reforms in the design of agricultural tools, such as the tineless pitchfork, but those measures were discontinued following dramatic reductions in productivity and the severe grain riots of 53AD. The agricolii gladiators never regained their standing and faded from history, but it is thought that the tradition may have been carried on in frontier areas in the north and provided the inspiration for the sport of hurling and eventually ice hockey.

Really interesting!  I am pretty well versed in Gladiators, but this was some new information to me.  Thanks!

[Pattus Magnus]

The agricolii are easy to overlook, the carvings and frescoes depicting matches have often been misinterpreted as harvest scenes. It is also difficult to discern their gladiatorial equipment from farm implements in the archaeological record.

One of the models at the front of the picture also is demonstrating the tineless pitchfork. He may also be a post-52AD agricolus from one of the unlicensed bouts following the ban.

[Pattus Magnus]

(Just to be clear, the agricolus, or “farmer”, gladiator didn’t actually exist - my posts above are meant as a parody of reinterpretation of archaeological information.)

[Easy E]

Okay, thanks to clarifying because I had not heard of them before so I was about to go looking for details!

A lot of people think the Scissori is/was real too.  However, it is highly doubtful.

[vodkafan]

You had us going there, Pattus Magnus, full credit there mate 

[Pattus Magnus]

Okay, now I’m glad I ‘fessed up fairly quickly, I would feel bad if folks wasted a lot of time looking for agricolii! After I sent the initial post I was expecting someone to call BS fairly quickly. Then when Easy E replied to thank me for the info I thought maybe he was playing along and waiting to see whether I would blink first, so I sent the follow up post!

Having gone and derailed the thread, I should add that the gladiator/ freed slave units look great. Putting together something similar is on my ‘someday list’ so it’s great to have inspiring examples to refer to!

[Major_Gilbear]

...I mean, "tineless pitchforks" was pretty big clue that PM was pulling our legs, no?  I mean, just think about it for a second; how would that even work??! Anyway, fair play on the joke, I enjoyed it!

[Easy E]

I guess I figured it was the guy holding something that looked like an ancient Garden Weasel.  The metal hooks replacing the tines, so tineless. 

Or perhaps I was just too excited to read something new about Gladiators that I had not heard before?  Either way, I was duped!

 

[Pattus Magnus]

It’s all about the delivery! 

[nikkobourges]

Hello,

Overview...




Nikkobourges

[rumacara]

Looking good.

[Pattus Magnus]

Yes indeed, those look great! I like the variety of figures in both groups, it gives the impression that they are part of an irregular force. The painting and basing all works very well.

[Easy E]

Most irregular!

I love it!

[Freddy]

What a great looking force, it is really colourful, yet the style and the basing brings them together very well.