Question regarding legionaries fighting in the arena

[Dobbie71064]

Hello everyone,

Quick question for you guys (and gals), does anyone know how common (if ever) it was for legionaries to fight in the arena? Ive seen a couple of pictures of games that pit gladiators vs legionaries in full gear. Would this be something that happened or not? I don't recall ever reading about it but i haven't done as much research as i should have..

Ive got a few RAFM and Warlord legionaries i could convert up.

Thanks in advance,

Andrew

[Elbows]

I don't know how often you'd see that...if ever.  From the stuff I've read you might see Gladiators dressed up as Legionnaires.  Perhaps at some point Legionnaires may have been used in a pinch to execute criminals in the arena.  In the 5-6 books I read when getting into this topic I never saw mention of Legionnaires actively fighting in the arena.  Now, that's not to say a gladiator who's condemned to die goes a little nuts - and needs to be put down by some guards?

I did read that Legionnaires (particularly at far posts) would attend small gladiator games, to get accustomed to the blood and violence of combat if they hadn't seen any, and possibly to pick up a few tricks.  In some instances small gladiator arenas were built near large military posts so a large portion of the spectators would have been soldiers.

Of course you can always go with a Spartacus styled game - gladiators attempting to break free, or perhaps refusing to fight so a small detachment from the local cohort is ordered to execute them?

I do not believe that you'd ever seen a properly sanctioned even though, featuring Legionnaires vs. actual gladiators.  But, perhaps a boastful figure in the local government derides the local lanistas constantly and offers a bet that his Legionnaires would best the lowly gladiators in a fight?  Surely such an event would draw a huge crowd, etc?  I'd say you can swing it - just wouldn't make it a staple on the program!

[Furt]

I doubt a "uniformed" legionary ever fought in the arena and have never come across such a match in my research. I believe a provocator gladiator may have been modeled on the legionaries, but as with most gladiator styles, with a bit of artistic license.

The games you have seen may be representing the might of Rome against the barbarians type free for alls, like the chariot battle in Gladiator. These matches were used to promote the power of the state in the citizenry and were usually heavily in favour of the Roman side. Regardless I doubt they wore actual legionary armour and get up.

In saying all that if you want to pit legionaries against gladiators I'd go for for it. 

[Franz_Josef]

I highly doubt a legionary in good standing, wearing his legionary gear, would have fought in the arena.  Gladiators were not considered "respectable"  (despite highly successful ones becoming "rock stars" in the Empire) and I strongly doubt a legionary would be allowed to degrade himself and the arms of Rome by appearing in the arena.  Gladiators with specific types of kit were paired-up with certain other types for the sake of a good show.  For example, the murmillo  usually fought the thraex or hoplomachus (all three types being comparatively heavily armored, with full helmets, arm guards, one or two greaves, large shield, and short sword; there are some indications that on occasion he fought the retarius. The retarius usually fought the secutor