VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Gladiators Barracks or Caserma dei Gladiatori or Quadriporticus of the theatre.

Excavated 1766 to 1769, 1774, 1779, 1791 to 1794 and 1814.

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According to the Information card in Naples Archaeological Museum -

Between December 1766 and March 1767, armour and weapons were found carefully stored in two rooms of the gladiator’s barracks.

Many of the weapons found at Pompeii are adorned with relief decoration and damascened silver engravings. The fact that almost none of them show signs of blows suggests that they were worn during the opening procession, while smooth helmets were worn during the fights.

Due to its size, the large Atto-Chalcidian helmet could not have been actually worn.

It was probably used at the top of a trophy, clearly visible due to the gilding as a powerful and evocative symbol of strength.

Naples Archaeological Museum, display case with helmets, galerus and greaves. Photo taken May 2021. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Naples Archaeological Museum display case of helmets and greaves. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Thracian gladiator’s helmet, with depiction of a palm tree. Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. no. 5649.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Gladiators helmet with depiction of a gorgon’s head. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

This helmet belonged to a thraex, a gladiator armed like the Thracian warriors of south-eastern Europe.
The crest of this helmet ends in a griffin’s head and on the front, the helmet is decorated with a gorgon’s head, possibly Medusa.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Thraex gladiators helmet.

The crest of this helmet ends in a griffin’s head and feathers could also be attached to it.

On the front, the helmet is decorated with a gorgon’s head, possibly Medusa.

On the sides, there are dolphins, as well as tubes into which feathers could be inserted.

The gladiator’s face was covered by a two-part visor.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Pair of richly decorated greaves each depicting a procession in celebration of Bacchus, Silenus with masks of the god and a lion skin, and a stork fighting a snake.

Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Gladiator’s Helmet with undecorated top. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 5638.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Gladiator helmet with undecorated top.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 5638.

Naples Archaeological Museum, display case with gladiator armour. Photo taken May 2021. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Provocator‘s helmet with relief of eagle, Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5657. 

Photo taken May 2021. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Provocator‘s helmet with relief of eagle, Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5657. 

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Gladiator greave with depiction of Minerva.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Roman gladiator greave depicting Athena.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Provocator helmet. Photo taken May 2021. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, in Naples Archaeological Museum.

On right - Murmillo gladiator’s helmet, showing Gladiator between armed cupids and a herm of Hercules and Bacchanalian scenes on crest inv. 5672. 

On left - Bronze, copper and silver shield with laurel branches and gorgeinon, inv. 5669.  Found in Gladiators Barracks, 9th January 1768.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Description cards from Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo taken May 2021.

On left – Bronze, copper and silver shield with laurel branches and gorgoneion, inv. 5669.

Centre – Bronze greave with depiction of Jupiter, inv, 5645, bronze greave with depiction of Neptune, inv. 5647.

On right – Bronze Murmillo helmet showing Gladiator between armed cupids and a herm of Hercules and Bacchanalian scenes on crest.

Found in Gladiator’s Barracks, consignment report of 29^th April 1851. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. September 2009. Bronze and silver shield. Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 5669.

Photographed at “A Day in Pompeii” exhibition at Melbourne Museum.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii.

Pair of bronze leggings or Gladiator’s Greaves found in the barracks.

On left - Bronze Greave with depiction of Jupiter, inv. 5645.

On right – Bronze Greave with depiction of Neptune, inv. 5647

Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. December 2007. Pair of bronze leggings or Gladiator’s Greaves found in the barracks.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Found 10th January 1767 in the Gladiatorial Barracks.

On left - Bronze Greave with depiction of Jupiter, inv. 5645.

On right – Bronze Greave with depiction of Neptune, inv. 5647

Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Display of weapons in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Details of daggers. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Gladiators dagger (pugnale) found in the Barracks with two other similar ones.

The handle is of bone and the blade is of iron and is double edged.

It was part of the equipment of a type of gladiator known as a retiarius (net fighter) who fought lightly armed.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 5683.

Items in display cabinet in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

On far left –Helmet and greave, inv. 5671 and 5676 (from Pompeii VII.11.6).

Then – helmet with relief of head of Medusa

Then – Secutor’s helmet, inv. 5642.

Then – (from Herculaneum) crest of Murmillo’s helmet with depictions of Mars, Rhea Silvia, she-wolf with Romulus and Remus and deities, found 19th June 1834. Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5656.

Lower right - Bronze Pileus (pilos helmet) inv. 5651.

Helmet with relief of head of Medusa. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Murmillo gladiators carried heavy equipment, including a broadsword and a large, rectangular shield.

The relief on the helmet’s crest depicts griffins being offered drinks by erotes (cupids).

Feathers could be inserted into tubes attached to the sides of the crest.

The head of Medusa, a mythological monster with snakes for hair, can be seen above the visor.

Above this is Mars Ultor, the god of war, in full armour.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Galerus with depictions of a dolphin, a trident, an anchor, a rudder and a crab, Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5639.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Bronze Secutor’s helmet, found 10th January 1767, Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5642.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Description card for Secutor’s helmet and Aphrodite Euploia  greave in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii.

Bronze greave with Aphrodite Euploia (protector of seafarers) sitting on a ship’s prow, inv. 5675. Found 20th December 1766.

Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Bronze Pileus (pilos helmet). Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5651.

Display cabinet with helmets and greaves in Naples Archaeological Museum. May 2021. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Display cabinet in Naples Archaeological Museum. May 2021. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Helmet with side guards.

Photo taken May 2021 in Naples Archaeological Museum, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Roman iron secutor gladiator helmet also said to be from Herculaneum.

Photo taken May 2021 in Naples Archaeological Museum, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5665.

Bronze greave depicting wheat ears, laurel and oak branches, masks and eagle fighting a snake.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, in Naples Archaeological Museum,

Description card –

On left - Bronze greave depicting wheat ears, laurel and oak branches, masks and eagle fighting a snake, inv. 5665.

On right – Murmillo gladiator’s helmet with scenes of capture of Troy, discovered Pompeii on 23rd May 1767 in Gladiator’s Barracks, inv. 5673.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5673.

Murmillo’s helmet with scenes of capture of Troy, discovered Pompeii on 23rd May 1767 in Gladiator’s Barracks (Side 1).

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5673.

Murmillo’s helmet with scenes of capture of Troy, discovered Pompeii on 23rd May 1767 in Gladiator’s Barracks (Side 2).

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5668.

Bronze greave depicting laurel branches, Bacchic masks, heads of Pan and an eagle clasping a hare.

Found 30^th December 1766.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Description card –

On left - Bronze greave depicting laurel branches, Bacchic masks, heads of Pan and an eagle clasping a hare, inv. 5668.

On right - Murmillo gladiator’s helmet, with personification of Rome, Barbarian captives, trophies and Victories, inv. 5674.

Found in Gladiator’s Barracks, 20th December 1766. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5674.

Murmillo gladiator’s helmet, with personification of Rome, Barbarian captives, trophies and Victories, in display case.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5674.

Murmillo gladiator’s helmet, with personification of Rome, Barbarian captives, trophies and Victories.

(Side 1). Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5674.

Murmillo gladiator’s helmet, with personification of Rome, Barbarian captives, trophies and Victories.

(Side 1- detail). Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Photo taken May 2021, in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5674.

Murmillo gladiator’s helmet, with personification of Rome, Barbarian captives, trophies and Victories.

(Side 2). Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. March 2024.

Centre. Iron slave shackle (1st century AD), from Quadriporticus of the Theatres, aka Gladiators’ Barracks.

On display in exhibition in the Palaestra entitled – “L’altra Pompei, vite comuni all’ombra del Vesuvio”.  

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Description card for iron stocks in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Display case with iron stocks in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Display of iron stocks, inv. 72998, and inv. s. inv. Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Murmillo helmet found March 23rd, 1863, in quadriporticus. Side 1.

Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Murmillo helmet found March 23rd, 1863, in quadriporticus. Side 2.

Photo taken May 2021, courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Drawings by P. Mattej of helmets found.

See Niccolini F, 1854. Le case ed i monumenti di Pompei: Volume Primo. Napoli, (Caserma dei Gladiatori, Tav II).

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Drawings by G. Abbate, of detail from helmets as seen in Tav. II above.

See Niccolini F, 1854. Le case ed i monumenti di Pompei: Volume Primo. Napoli, (Caserma dei Gladiatori, Tav III).

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Drawings by P. Mattej of leggings, shields and weapons.

See Niccolini F, 1854. Le case ed i monumenti di Pompei: Volume Primo. Napoli, (Caserma dei Gladiatori, Tav IV).

VIII.7.16 Pompeii.

Drawings by G. Abbate of particulars from leggings, shields and weapons in Tav. IV. above.

See Niccolini F, 1854. Le case ed i monumenti di Pompei: Volume Primo. Napoli, (Caserma dei Gladiatori, Tav V).

VIII.7.16 Pompeii. Modern drawings of various types of gladiators showing typical armour and weapons.

Eques ("horseman")

Hoplomachus ("heavy-weapons fighter")

Murmillo ("fish")

Provocator ("attacker")

Retiarius ("netman")

Secutor ("pursuer")

Thraex ("Thracian").

Photo courtesy of Barbara McManus.

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