1. Gladiators
Many people don’t know there were many types of gladiators. They were classified based on the weapons they used in battle. For this station you will simulate a gladiator battle.
The three types of gladiators you will simulate today are:
Retiarii – These gladiators fought using a net and a 3-pronged spear called a trident.
Thraeces – Based on the Thracian warriors they used a long curved sword.
Hoplomachi – These were the only ones who used a shield in battle. Their weapon was usually a gladius, a short, straight sword.
How to simulate the battle:
Pair off to create one on one battles. Then you will play a
modified version of rock-paper-scissors.
To choose retiarii open your hand like “paper” to simulate their
net.
To choose thraeces put your index finger up like a hook to
simulate a curved blade.
To choose Hoplomachi show a closed fist like “rock” to simulate a shield.
Retiarii beats hoplomachi because they can wrap up the shields. Hoplomachi beats thraeces because they can block the sword easily. Thraeces beats retiarii because curved weapons can cut rope easily.
Battle your partner 7 times and record which type of warrior won each battle (or if it was a tie.) At the end determine which warrior type won the most battles. That is your gladiator winner!
Needs to be simplified