A group of friends and I engage in some experimental archeology combined with physical fitness training. We spar with weapons from various time periods to see how best to use them and their particular specialties.
It's very interesting but we seem to have come up with a slight conundrum.
The Retarius was a Roman gladiator who used a trident and net combination. However when we re-created a trident, we've found that using a trident one-handed is extremely cumbersome.
The trident is actually an incredibly effective weapon because it combines range with the ability to trap and rapidly disarm opponents as well as a strong thrusting attack. However this is only applicable when used with two hands.
When held with one hand, the trident is awkward and you lack the strength or flexibility to effectively trap and disarm with one hand. You are limited to short-range stabs and the weapon can be easily knocked out of the way. You also lose a great deal of speed and agility with the weapon.
With this in mind, why was the trident used primarily one handed by gladiators?
Granted my friends and I have not been training as gladiators or with the trident for years, but even so I would think that using this weapon one handed as opposed to two handed would dramatically reduce it's effectiveness even with a skilled user.
Interesting topic Steezie, nice to see you in the History forum.
That's cool that you and your friends do stuff like that, must be a fantastic workout.
As to your question, all I can really say is that gladiators probably did hold the trident with both hands or switched between one and two. It really wouldn't have been that difficult. Also, if you train long enough you'll find that wielding a weapon with one hand becomes quite doable. Keep in mind the spears that infantrymen fought with.
Interesting topic Steezie, nice to see you in the History forum.
That's cool that you and your friends do stuff like that, must be a fantastic workout.
Its a great workout and a lot of fun, experimental archeology yay!
As to your question, all I can really say is that gladiators probably did hold the trident with both hands or switched between one and two.
See thats the thing though, the Retarius used a net and a trident, so using the trident one-handed is the only thing you can really do if you havent thrown the net.
It really wouldn't have been that difficult. Also, if you train long enough you'll find that wielding a weapon with one hand becomes quite doable. Keep in mind the spears that infantrymen fought with.
I've used a spear one-handed and you can do all the important movements with a spear, namely stabbing. But a trident's real element is in it's ability to trap and disarm. Using it one handed means you cant get the twisting motions to help disarm and you dont have the agility to trap.
This hangs a big question mark over why they didnt use something like a spear, as a trident can actually get grabbed if you arent fast enough
See thats the thing though, the Retarius used a net and a trident, so using the trident one-handed is the only thing you can really do if you havent thrown the net.
I don't think holding a net would stop you one from grasping the trident with both hands.
In a fight, you think fast, move fast and change tactics fast to throw the enemy off. The net could be slung over the shoulder, held with a finger (freeing the rest of the hand) or even temporarily dropped if the Retarius wanted a better grip temporarily. Remember, these guys were fighting for their lives, so they wouldn't do anything uneccessary just for artistic purity.
This hangs a big question mark over why they didnt use something like a spear, as a trident can actually get grabbed if you arent fast enough
They were forced to use it to imitate mythology for the viewing pleasure of the spectators.
The trident is not a practical weapon as it lacks both the stabbing and cutting power of a spear.
As you pointed out, it could be used well defensively, but infantry actions were compact, brutal, well drilled affairs, the outcome being determined by stamina, strength, and blows per second into the enemy line, no place for nifty weapons and clever techniques.
I don't think holding a net would stop you one from grasping the trident with both hands.
In a fight, you think fast, move fast and change tactics fast to throw the enemy off. The net could be slung over the shoulder, held with a finger (freeing the rest of the hand) or even temporarily dropped if the Retarius wanted a better grip temporarily. Remember, these guys were fighting for their lives, so they wouldn't do anything uneccessary just for artistic purity.
The net that the Retarius used was folded in a specific way to be used, like a fishing net. It was thrown ontop of the opponent then a rope tied to the Retarius' wrist was pulled to close the net and make it harder to get off.
Dropping the net would mean you wouldnt be able to effectively throw it and its too bulky to allow it to be held in one hand while that same hand grips a trident.
They were forced to use it to imitate mythology for the viewing pleasure of the spectators.
The trident is not a practical weapon as it lacks both the stabbing and cutting power of a spear.
As you pointed out, it could be used well defensively, but infantry actions were compact, brutal, well drilled affairs, the outcome being determined by stamina, strength, and blows per second into the enemy line, no place for nifty weapons and clever techniques.
The trident is a very practical weapon if it's used in a certain way. Two handed I can attest to it's effectiveness, one handed its very clumsy. I wouldnt say it lacked the stabbing power of the spear, a good strong thrust from a trident could do the same job as a spear albeit with somewhat shorter range.
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