Two Gladiatorial Fibulas

CNG 88, Lot: 2151. Estimate $750. Sold for $950. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Bronze fibula. Roman, 1st-3rd centuries AD. Openwork design depicting a secutor holding shield and sword, advancing left toward a fallen retiarius, raising hand in supplication. Width: 3.1cm; weight: 11.90g. Part of the secutor’s right arm missing, hinge and pin intact but with normal corrosion. A fine gladiatorial piece with an even green patina.

This fibula illustrates a popular gladiatorial match-up. The heavily armed secutor, outfitted with a gladius (sword) and scutum (large semi-cylindrical shield) was frequently matched against a lightly armed, but consequently quicker and more agile, retiarius, whose main weapons were the fuscina (trident) and rete (net). The net and long trident allowed the retiarius to fight from a distance, whereas the secutor had the advantage in close combat.