Murmillo Gladiator

The mirmillone (in Latin: murmillo, myrmillo or mirmillo, in Greek: mormyros) was one of the gladiatorial categories that performed in the amphitheaters in Roman times. In fact, the wrestlers with the most powerful physiques were enrolled in the mirmilloni category.

On their heads the mirmilloni wore a large helmet that entirely covered their faces, decorated with marine figures, due to the mythological symbolism to which each gladiatorial class was linked. They were then equipped with a large, heavy, curved rectangular shield (the scutum, similar to a tile), very similar to the one supplied to the Roman infantry; this shield shielded the entire body, with the exception of the face and legs, the latter protected by a single greave (ocrea). He carried, as his only offensive weapon, a short sword, the gladius.

During the fight, the myrmillone kept shelter behind the vast shield, exposing only his face and legs, which were also armoured, moving the shield aside only for brief attacks with the gladius. From this point of view, the mirmillone was an impregnable fortress for the opponent in front; the only possibility for his enemy, often the most agile Thracian, was to find a way to attack him from the side, where he was vulnerable, relying on the relative slowness of the myrmillone.