HOWICK MILITARY TATTOO - February 2013
The Howick Military Tattoo includes displays by the NZ Army, Vikings and WWII re-enactment clubs. We set up a living history Roman legionary camp where kids can try on gear while Mum took a photo. Legio VI Ferrata demonstrated Roman battle tactics and formation fighting.
The NZ Gladiator School constructed a large wooden ramp for the gladiator show. This fight was an historical recreation of an actual ancient Roman gladiatorial match where the Retiarius was versed against two opponents, the Thraex and Murmillo, each advancing up the ramp at him from opposite sides. This was a New Zealand first for such a carefully staged and well-researched piece of Roman living history. The Retiarius fought for his life, and only just managed to win. The bloodthirsty crowd voted for life or death!
The NZ Gladiator School constructed a large wooden ramp for the gladiator show. This fight was an historical recreation of an actual ancient Roman gladiatorial match where the Retiarius was versed against two opponents, the Thraex and Murmillo, each advancing up the ramp at him from opposite sides. This was a New Zealand first for such a carefully staged and well-researched piece of Roman living history. The Retiarius fought for his life, and only just managed to win. The bloodthirsty crowd voted for life or death!
HERE IT IS! LIVE! The lost video of the famous big three-gladiator match-up on the elevated ramp. Tiberius the Egyptian fighting as a Murmillo (Jason Saunders), versus Petronius the Pict from Britannia fighting as a Retiarius (Peter Rogers), versus Glaucus the Grey from the Iceni (Martin Layzell).
Nothing but sweat, anger and the clash of steel! One false step on this ramp would send a gladiator plunging down to catastrophic injury - this is not like landing on the soft sand of the regular arena - so balance and agility was paramount, and that is what gave the Retiarius the advantage over his two far more heavily armed opponents.
Empress Sharon granted life, but death came anyway - such is the chance of fortune when you enter the arena of combat!
Nothing but sweat, anger and the clash of steel! One false step on this ramp would send a gladiator plunging down to catastrophic injury - this is not like landing on the soft sand of the regular arena - so balance and agility was paramount, and that is what gave the Retiarius the advantage over his two far more heavily armed opponents.
Empress Sharon granted life, but death came anyway - such is the chance of fortune when you enter the arena of combat!
