Scissor (gladiator) explained

The scissor (pl. scissores) was a type of Roman gladiator.[1] Very little is known about them[2] [3] and they were not mentioned after the first century BCE. The name, from the verb scindere ("to cut") means cleaver, carver, or slasher.[4] [5] [6] [2] Historian Marcus Junkelmann identified what he termed a scissor in a relief in the late 1980s. The figure, however, has also been identified as an arbelas by other historians.[5] [6] It is possible that the scissores went extinct or were later reclassed as arbelai.[5] [7] The scissores may have evolved from the secutor due to the similarity in armor, helmet, and gladius, as well as being "anti-retiarius."[5]

Scissores wore a full-face helmet similar to that of the hoplomachi or the secutores, and wore heavy armor. They held a gladius in one hand and a "single-edged curved blade," similar to a mezzaluna or an arbelas blade, on his forearm.[5] [8] [7] This semicircular blade was attached to a steel tube that spanned the arm. It served as a shield in addition to a weapon and a handle inside provided increased mobility.[9]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Textual Notes on Artemidorus Daldianus. Pack. Roger. Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association. 88. 1957. 190. 10.2307/283903.
  2. Web site: Roman Scissor. 2022-12-01. HistoryLab for Civic Engagement. 2024-03-10.
  3. Web site: Roman Gladiators. United Nations of Roma Victrix. 2024-03-10.
  4. Book: Fagan, Garrett G.. [{{Google Books|97CuRgkgDXMC|plainurl=yes}} The Lure of the Arena Social Psychology and the Crowd at the Roman Games]. 2011-02-17. 9780521196161. Cambridge University Press. 217.
  5. Web site: Scissor Gladiator and Everything About Them. Frithowulf. Hrothsige. 2023-10-10. Malevus. 2024-03-10.
  6. Web site: The Roman Scissor: Gladiator, weapon, or...? (AKA: Return of the arbelos). 2016-12-19. Eleggo. 2024-03-10.
  7. Book: Nossov, Konstantin. [{{Google Books|TAWiCwAAQBAJ|plainurl=yes}} Gladiator: The Complete Guide to Ancient Rome's Bloody Fighters]. 2011-10-04. Rowman & Littlefield. 9780762777334. 45-46.
  8. Web site: Gladiator Fashion: How To Spot Your Favorite Fighter. 2017-03-31. Green. Corey. Houston Museum of Natural Science. 2024-03-10.
  9. Book: Junkelmann, Marcus. Marcus Junkelmann. Das Spiel mit dem Tod. So kämpften Roms Gladiatoren. Mainz am Rhein. 2000. 3-8053-2563-0.

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