The Deadliest Weapon in the Colosseum Wasn't a Sword

Ajouté : 2026-05-15

[00:00:00]Guys, guys, I finally did. I finally found someone with a more ridiculous weapon than me. So, you can stop making fun of of the sling. I doubt I doubt the new weapon will be as [music] ridiculous, unwillingly as your tiny rope. No, no, you're not. You're not far off. Get [music] this. It's a believe the word you are looking for is a net.

[00:00:18]See, see, it's just it's just a fishing net. It's just more rope just tied together. You know what, Slinger Sam?

[00:00:24]That's actually quite cool. Yeah, Slinger Sam, I never took you [music] as someone who just makes fun of another person's weapon. How dare you insult me, you ranged weapon coward. [music] Taste my fury.

[00:00:35]See? See? See how ridiculous this looks, guys? Is this slave bothering you? I am no slave. My name is Squatic. No. No. I don't I don't care what your name is.

[00:00:45]Get back to the Lutus. Oh, yeah. Yeah.

[00:00:47]Sorry. I'm [music] super sorry about that, Lenita. I'll uh I'll [snorts] head back to Arrow right now. Right now.

[00:00:53]>> [music] >> Guys, that was that actually kind of hard to watch. I mean, who just who just makes fun of somebody's weapon like that? Best thing I thought I my two thlo and disappointed in you. How am I the bad guy in all of this?

[00:01:12][music] Welcome back ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, nerd enderets. Now, today we are going over gladiators. more specifically the Retiarius. Now, if you're not familiar with the Retiarius, [music] he's the one with the net. He was the fisherman, let's say, gladiator.

[00:01:30]They first arose in the 1st century AD and gained a lot of popularity very quickly. And by the second and third century AD, they were a staple of the arena and the games. [music] People really liked them because their loadout was so incredibly unique with the net and the trident and the exposed face. No helmet, huh? I [clears throat] I trul respect that. Just uh just watch the hair.

[00:01:56]So unlike the other gladiators who did in fact wear a helmet and that was very recognizable, there wasn't a lot of personality to that specific gladiator because people couldn't see their face.

[00:02:06]The retas on the other hand had an exposed face and so there was more recognition with the crowd. They quickly became a [music] crowd favorite because of that and it was very vulnerable in every match. they were with. It seemed like they were going to lose. They had a net, a [music] trident, and a dagger against someone who is much more heavily armored with better weaponry and a shield. [music] And so, it really grabbed the people's attention with those asymmetrical matchups. Their attire outfit was [music] relatively simple with not a lot of moving parts to it. They were bare chested. They had a loin clar with a large belt [music] on it. They would have a padded arm and then sometimes a protective plate would come [music] up over the face as well to help guard the body since they had no shield. They had a trident, a net, and they would have a dagger as well [music] because often times if things got close, the spear just wasn't going to cut it.

[00:02:52]So, you need to have a backup weapon. If the net worked, the person fell down, you engage in a grapple. That's going to be really [music] helpful for that. So, how did their arsenal work and pair together? Well, the most distinguishable thing, of course, is the net. Now, the net when it was thrown, I've been practicing [music] that here, and it's very unique because it's like casting a net with one arm. So, you have to flip the wrist a little bit to get it to flare out or open up. Once it's flared out or open up, the goal would be to catch the sword arm, a helmet, and you want to be able to get it so it's disrupting them. If you guys have ever done boxing before, any sort of, you know, combives, you know that once you're in close with someone, you don't have time to make those adjustments. So, if someone had this thing wrapped around, they wouldn't have a lot of time to try and flick it off if it's entangled. [music] And so, every step you take could very well knock you down. You have to be very cautious. And you can't make those [music] adjustments because the second weapon, which is a trident, really makes you stay dangerous at a longer range.

[00:03:44]Want to try and move in to wear them down, take shots at them, and from there hopefully they slip up, make a mistake, hopefully their visibility [music] is limited or their range of motion is limited so you can get in there and make a good [music] strike. The second famous weapon they had was, of course, the trident. Now, I don't have a trident here, unfortunately. I just have a spear, but a trident was very useful because on each [music] end of it, it had a barbed hook. So that barbed hook could be used to grab a shield, to grab an arm, to grab a belt, [music] to hook someone. There was a larger service area, so you had more area to connect or hit [music] with someone, cause blood, and blood was very important in the coliseum. As you know, [music] it wasn't just about winning. It was being spectacular and making an impression on people. So you want to showcase yourself well. You want to showcase [music] flowery moves. You want to showcase agility and skill. So even though you're at a disadvantage, [music] you have a really good chance to make a name for yourself. The last weapon of course they had is a dagger. This is a bone dagger here. So it's a good replica [music] of the size of what those would be. They're not tiny, but it's still substantially smaller than what the Seletor or the Ramo would have. So even if you had to draw this, if you lost your trident, you'd be at a massive disadvantage because they'd have a shield and their sword is much more [music] tailored for combat in that way. This thing here is most likely something that was used when things got in a clench because as you close distance, the spear is not going to be super useful, [music] especially if they come in close. If you tangle them up and get in to try and finish them off, you'll probably need to grab this. If it goes to the ground, this is what you're going to use. Make [music] sure you can defend yourself. Now, there's some anecdotal writing that stipulates that the most handsome or attractive gladiators [music] were chosen to be retriotis because they would get favor from the crowd because they'd be able to see their face.

[00:05:18]There's no real historical backing for that. There is a lot of [music] writing, graffiti. Obviously, gladiators did become sex symbols. They would talk about the side of the girls because they were obviously very drawn to the gladiators and spectacle [music] of the whole event, but the reality of it is a bit darker. They were comparatively weak. They were vulnerable. They were looked at as womanly classes because of the weapons [music] they used. And so, while they could achieve some level of fame through successes in battles or physical prowess, they weren't necessarily attractive in the sense we think of it was more [music] because they were just a star in that arena.

[00:05:49]Another darker reason why they were sometimes [music] shown or didn't have helmets is because the audience could see the fear or the anger in their face.

[00:05:56]It [music] humanized them a great dear.

[00:05:58]Emperor Claudius was once reported of having a executed in that [music] way.

[00:06:03]So they wanted to make sure that people could see the anguish and the fear on his face as it was done. So they were still very much a pawn in the way they were used and sometimes that was used to drive home a [music] fact like hey don't don't mess with Rome. Now how exactly did they train? Well, if you've seen Spartacus, let's say, [music] you probably know they were trained in a Lutus, which is a gladatorial training school that was overseen [music] by Lenista. He may be hands-on, maybe not. He was just the owner of the school, but each one had a specific doctor. And that [music] doctor often times was a retired gladiator in that field. So, a retiarius would have a retired ratiius, [music] a sequator would have a retired separator to train them specifically for that. Again, it was like four to six hours a day. Each of them was trained specifically in their class. So for the Retharadius, it would be netthrowing.

[00:06:46][music] It would be thrusting the Trident into a straw man. It would be footwork, dodging shields. It was all about agility. This [music] is definitely an agility class.

[00:06:55]The other classes were heavier, moving forward with the shield. This was move around as quickly as you can and [music] try not to get stabbed, stay at a range, and keep them in danger. And how did the matchups work? Well, the matchups were very customdesigned to be as entertaining as possible for all parties and provide some checks and balances.

[00:07:11]So, like I said earlier, the Rediadius would often face off against the Sequator. The Sequur had a smooth helmet and a smoother shield in its angle, so it wasn't as easily caught on the [music] net, making the harder for the net to catch on there. When you think of glad, you probably think that big bulky helmet that because it would be an unfair advantage because if they hooked that helmet, it was easier to do so, easier to grab, and they get tangled [music] up much quicker. So, they would train most likely on who they would fight against in the arena [music] specifically. So they'd have to know exactly where to throw that net in order to do the most damage or also just to do the [music] most entanglement. So for example, this would be more stereotypical sequator. They'd have a round helmet that was smoothed out.

[00:07:49]They'd have padding on the right arm.

[00:07:51]They'd have a shield here which is a larger [music] shield that they actually rested on the greaves as well. It talked about that how that was a resting period. So you kind of keep that as one [music] initial strong body. So, the really only places you could get that string or that rope or that net rather to be efficient would be tangling up the [music] sword arm or tangling up the head. And so, if it's done in that way, they take a step, they could easily fall, move to the side. And so, you really want to keep the pressure on as they're advancing. Don't let them get too close. You're going to be in a lot of trouble. Now, on to a little bit of a testing portion. [music] Now, when they set up the training for the net, they would have logs initially, then they have moving targets. I'm sure as they got better, they have people go in [music] there to simulate resistance.

[00:08:30]But I want to try just a few throws here. See if I can get that hooked from different distances because to get it open and flared [music] out, it's actually been kind of hard for me to sort out here. So, especially since I'm right-handed and it's throwing with the left hand. So, I'm going to take a few throws [music] here and just see how many it takes me to get that thing locked in.

[00:09:02]So, that wasn't bad. It did open up a bit. It did tend [music] to catch on here. So, that's a pretty good hook, I would say. And if that's the case, now someone's got that hanging out on top of them, they're going to be in a bit more trouble. Every step they take is going to be dangerous. The next thing I want to try is a hook and grab. So, I really feel like these would be incredibly useful for pulling someone [music] off balance. So, that way you don't throw your net, you can retrieve it back. Once you bring it back, you're going have to scoot away to reset your hand grips on it because that's a very important part of it. So, I'm going to try and hook and see if I can get a good hook and pull that down as well. Now, obviously, this is going to be stubbier than a sequator's armor, but if you can get that hook and pull, it's be really [music] useful.

[00:09:52]Now, one thing I allude to multiple times is that the Retiarius [music] was not often paired against the Mermillo. The Mermillo being the heavy class. Their helmet, the design, the back had the same sort of flare that the Roman helmet had, the Legion helmet. And I'm just going to kind of show why that wouldn't work. Because, as you can imagine, this thing here [music] catching in the back is going to pull your head forward. I just thought it'd be fun to do.

[00:10:19][music] >> [music] >> So, it's a bit hard to showcase directly what's going on, but the idea is that the [music] net obviously can come behind the helmet here, pull up, get you off balance, and it just wouldn't be fair. So, the idea that they had those asymmetrical matchups that were tailored to really give benefits and equal [music] it out to each one is actually a really unique, interesting wrinkle. It wasn't just go in there and brawl. It was you had a class and a counterclass.

[00:10:59]Each one had its own strength and weaknesses. All right, everyone. Well, if you've done any martial arts for a bit, you know that doing [music] something if it's not against someone resisting it doesn't really matter. It's not like a good point. So, I have my buddy Rudy here, my jiu-jitsu buddy. How long you've been doing jiu-jitsu? And we've been friends for kind of friends, right?

[00:11:15]>> [laughter] >> Did you see 15 years friends? Probably about in the last hour.

[00:11:20]>> Yeah, last hour. I would be like, "Hey, you you." So [laughter] anyways, instead of sharp weapons, what I have here is I just have a spear shaft and I put like a foam on it. It's about the same ounce as like a 4 oz glove. So if you get popped with it, you'll feel it. And he's got a wooden sword here. I put a little bit of linen around it and taped it up so there's a little less impact, but we were like smacking each other. It's like it's going to hurt if we get hit with that. So for the first test, what we're going to do is he's going to be the secrettor. And so I'm going to just try and see if I can grab him with the net, how that [music] works, if I can get it, if he's resisting and moving. Then after that, we're going to do a couple other things where I'm going to take that roll with the net on [music] me and see how much it disrupts my range of motion, my movement, and how debilitating it is.

[00:12:00]>> All right.

[00:12:01]>> All right. Ready?

[00:12:02]>> All right.

[00:12:18]>> [laughter] [music] >> Okay.

[00:12:41]>> [music] [laughter] >> All right, round one. How'd that feel?

[00:12:52]>> It was It was a fast pace. I hadn't really closed the distance with my small sword, but that net was just reaching for me. Every time you reach for me, if I didn't have my shield high enough, you would reach around my neck or catch the shoulder and it felt really hard to move any other direction besides where you wanted me to.

[00:13:08]>> And especially with using that spear as I lifted on my shield to keep that net off me completely exposed my rib and you had time to bounce with the spear would have killed me right away. [laughter] So felt like a mix of wins and losses.

[00:13:20]>> Yeah. Yeah. No, it was crazy cuz the other thing is too with the net, it's like it can be a hindrance as you're trying to retreat and move. There's a couple times that you stepped on it >> and I kind of like stopped and I was like, "Oh no." So having it like at range and proper distancing is difficult cuz he can keep coming and once he's close keeping that spear back, >> it's hard cuz he gets in close and you just got to try to block it as best you can.

[00:13:46]>> Yeah. I think one time I caught it on my shoulder but then I was like I can't uh I caught the spear on my shoulder. I was like where do I go from here? Yeah. I was kind of stuck between two two places but it was great. Yeah.

[00:13:55]>> All right.

[00:14:10]>> [music] >> I threw it. [laughter] [music] drug off. Actually, [laughter] >> it's kind of he try to throw.

[00:14:55]That was pretty good.

[00:14:57]>> Okay. All right. Do >> you want me to give it?

[00:14:59]>> All right. [clears throat] So, the other thing we did was I was trying to catch the throw and I got it once where it landed.

[00:15:05]>> Yeah.

[00:15:05]>> And I just want to see if I could get that and then [music] it was interesting like getting it off. You're saying >> it wasn't as easy. Uh once it landed and it was on my shoulders and my body uh getting it off me, I kept shrugging but it stayed it stuck on me. So, in order to fully get off me, I would have to drop whatever I have in my hand and start pulling it which in that time is the opportunity for you to strike the kill anyway. [laughter] >> Exactly. So, we're going to mix it up a little bit. Usually the sequator was larger and had more armor and the retardius was smaller and more nimble.

[00:15:32]For this one here, what I want to do is act as if he got a really good throw.

[00:15:35]So, I'm going to set it on in a in a place that makes it like debilitating over top and then later I'll try sword arm. But, I just want to spar with the net on because there's a lot of imagery of it with the net on the person and they're still fighting. So, I want to see how that works and how much that hampers me.

[00:15:55]Goodbye.

[00:16:21][laughter] Oh, [music] [music] hey.

[00:16:45]Hey. [music] >> [music] [music] >> A You really have to like once you charge in with this too, you're blind.

[00:17:21]100% blind.

[00:17:22]>> No, you went in. Yeah, you definitely went in until you felt my body with contact. Yes.

[00:17:26]>> And then you're like, "Okay, now I'm open up and see where I'm open or I was open."

[00:17:30]>> Right.

[00:17:30]>> So, it makes sense cuz this class usually had a helmet.

[00:17:33]>> Okay.

[00:17:33]>> So, it's a lot easier to have it here >> and be able to see more.

[00:17:36]>> Yeah. You would have >> We don't have a helmet. So, we're like, [laughter] >> let's hope for the best.

[00:17:41]>> Yeah. Exactly. Pray for the best. All right. Last test I want to do is sword arm test. So, this would be if it was a really good throw and it binded up or bound up my arm and my sword. And so, it's going to be kind of around the shoulders and through here. And I'm going to see [music] what that does.

[00:17:56]Ready?

[00:17:56]>> We'll see.

[00:17:57]>> Here we go.

[00:18:24]>> [laughter] >> Yeah, I know. That's super crazy. So just debilitating cuz the goal I mean he's just peppering me from distance and it makes it hard to move in and feel safe engaging.

[00:18:41]>> Definitely felt more confident as we've done this more. Keeping you at bay more >> and using that range instead of letting you get close in cuz once you're close I'm in trouble.

[00:18:48]>> Yeah.

[00:18:48]>> Keep far enough to where I have full control.

[00:18:51]>> Yeah.

[00:18:51]>> That was where I was best.

[00:18:52]>> Yeah. For sure. No. Huge huge difference.

[00:18:55]>> All right. So as he's gaining confidence with the spear [music] we're going to have him try it now with the net. So, it's going to be a full one to one.

[00:19:01]We'll see how he's able to do it just with like I don't know 30 minutes of practice. That's >> it. That's all I need.

[00:19:05]>> Well, maybe like 10 minutes. [laughter] So, we'll take it slow. 50% just kind of vibe through it and see how the training goes.

[00:19:13]>> All right.

[00:19:14]>> All right.

[00:19:25]Oh, [music] [music] [music] heat.

[00:19:56]>> [music] [music] [laughter] >> What happened?

[00:20:09]You caught >> I got [laughter] it in the bounce. That was pretty cool. So, I talked about earlier that the retas didn't often fight the Mermilo [music] cuz Mermo had a big crest on the helmet that protruded. So if that net came over top, you're toast. Cuz that time he got caught on the belt. Came around my waist and I was like stuck and he just pulled me right into the spear. It was absolutely perfect. So those little things that can catch on. Yeah. Once it got caught, I felt full control and it ended up turning your back slightly and it opened you up. So I was like, man, I mean whether it was luck or whether it was a good catch, it was something that just put the odds in my favor.

[00:20:43]>> Yes. Yes. 100%. And I do feel too that surprisingly this class [music] was more endurance heavy based, but it's much more taxing for me or the shield because you have to close that distance cuz you're constantly getting struck. And so you have to stay aggressive and [music] kind of close that distance. He can just kind of fall away. Yeah.

[00:21:01]>> And it's just really hard and I can see how it'd be really frustrating to face this class as a heavier gladiator cuz they can just keep moving. Oh, >> 100%. I just kept you at bay and I kept uh moving angles and Yeah. You were the one trying to tax your way in or get your way in to make sure you close the distance to finish the fight. 100% right.

[00:21:18]>> All right, that was awesome. All right.

[00:21:19]Well, special thanks to my buddy. He is competing in jiu-jitsu world. Brown belt [music] next week.

[00:21:24]>> Next week.

[00:21:24]>> So, this is cardio for him.

[00:21:27]Wish him well. It's going to be tough.

[00:21:28]He's going against a high level brown belt D1 wrestler.

[00:21:31]>> Yeah, exactly. But it's going to make me better no matter what. And it makes me show that if I show up to train and fight and win, no matter what the outcome is, it's always growth, right?

[00:21:38]So, >> yes, man. You're awesome. Thank you for coming out. That was incredibly fun.

[00:21:41]What were your takeaways?

[00:21:42]>> Uh, surprisingly about distance. You know, managing distance with uh well any kind of weapon is pretty amazing. So whether it be the net or the spear or closing the distance with the shield and the sword, uh you really have to manage this out have the outcome of the fight you want. It's pretty cool.

[00:21:55]>> Yeah. Yeah. And one more time, this is a special thanks to Colt Athena who furnishes me with all [music] this cool stuff. There's an affiliate link down below if you're interested. They're a great site, good people. I hope you enjoyed. Rudy, that was fun, man. Good times.

[00:22:06]>> Appreciate you.