Roman and Gladiator fighting Curriculum

Sources:
Ars Dimicandi (Roma)
Gruppo Storico Romano (Roma)
Vegetius
Johann Wallhausens Romanische Fechtkunst (Medieval Book)
Escrima (Doce Pares, Kalidu, Modern Arnis)
Distances
Long-Medium-Close
Attacks
5 cuts (leg x2, neck x2, head) form a circle
9 thrusts (downwards, straight, upwards, and their sides right-left)
Defenses
High (umbrella, roof)
Middle (inside, outside)
Low (low inside, low outside, low outside for inner defense)
X-defense (is a special defense and depends on the weapon, ideal for double swords)
The order in which the weapons are teached
medium range
i) and ii) Gladius and gladius, gladius and shield
iii) a.only gladius (use of the other hand like having a shield, the alive hand)
b.only shield
close range
iv) Pugio (dagger)
long range
v) Pilum, spear, trident
combinations
vi) Pugio and gladius, spear and gladius, spear and shield
(small shield-defense, big shield-offense)
very close range
vii) Unarmed (same techniques like armed and introduction into pankration-the most difficult)

With all the weapons we face

a.enemy with the same weapon
b.enemy with different weapon

striking types
according weapon distancei) long (cuts)ii) medium (thrusts)iii) close (with back end of weapon)
according hand movementi) x-cutsii) fan-cutsiii) thrusts (straight-cross-backfist)iv) thrusts (from angle
going in)

basic drills
i) stepping and avoiding finger of Lanista
ii) diagonal inside step attack
iii) thrust drill (straight-backfist-crossfist)
wrist exercises (like nunchakus)
i) with gladius
ii) with spear
drill exercise arts
i) techniques in the air
ii) techniques on a tree- on the pell (defenses are trained on the branches)
iii) techniques with enemy (one or many)
1 vs 1
1 vs 2, 1 vs 3
2 vs 2, 2 vs 3, 2 vs 4
team vs team
The defenses
the defenses are teached to the beginner as static moves to learn better the attacks. Later they get
corrected and only as parries used.
Drills
-only one attacks
-only one defends
-defense and counter with cut
-defense and counter with thrust
-estocada drills (4 counts)
(vertical lesson)

i) only high
ii) only low
iii) high and low
-mano mano drill
(horizontal lesson)
-riposte drill
Basic stances
i) with left leg always in front
ii) parallel
iii) low (like fighting under ships mast or under low ceiling)
Drills stepping
a.only left leg in front
b.changing legs
i) for and back
ii) right and left
iii) in circle
Combat stepping
i) triangle-attacking
ii) triangle-defending
iii) stance changing
Body stance in drills
i) upstanding
ii) kneeling
iii) lying
Fall and Rolling
) forward
ii) backwards
iii) sidewards
a.with weapon
b.picking up weapon from the ground
Free Sparring
i) naked (no armour or protective gear)
ii) with armour or protective gear