Gladiatores

Veles

The velites are another type mentioned only by Isidor of Seville as well as in some inscriptions where the abbreviation "vel" is found. The name is derived from the worst-equipped Roman soldiers from the time of the Punic Wars. Most likely their fighting style was similar to that of these soldiers.

Crupellarius

Tacitus mentioned the crupellarii as Gaulish fighters. A bronze statuette from France might show one of these fully armored fighters.

Scaeva

If a gladiator fought as a southpaw, it was worth mentioning. Emperor Commodus, who liked to appear as a gladiator in the arena, fought as a secutor scaeva. When two southpaws fought against each other, it was called a pugna scaevata (left-handed fight)..