The thraex and retiarius were two gladiators who regularly fought against each other in the arena. There are references to female gladiators known as "gladiatrices" or "ludii muliebres" who participated in gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome. Various Roman writers, such as Tacitus and Dio Cassius, occasionally mentioned female gladiators in their writings. Although they were often described in a negative manner, the existence of these mentions suggests that female gladiators did indeed participate in the games.
Based on the equipment of their male counterparts, we have equipped two gladiatrices: a thraex and a retiarius. The heavily armored, well-armed thraex and the lightly equipped, more agile retiarius were evenly matched.
Tunics
It is reasonable to assume that gladiatrices, like male gladiators, wore a tunic as a base layer under their armor. The tunica was a simple garment consisting of a loose tunic or a long shirt worn over the body. It served as underwear and was usually made of linen.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/sleeveless-tunic-106626427.html
Retiarius - Fuscina (Trident)
The fuscina was a trident-like weapon used by the retiarius. It had three sharp points attached to the end of a long shaft. The fuscina was designed for thrusting and jabbing, and its length allowed the opponent to be kept at a distance.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/retiarius-trident.html
Retiarius - rete (net)
The rete was a throwing net made of strong and flexible rope or cord. It had weights at the edges to cast the net effectively. Once the opponent was ensnared, the retiarius could attack. The use of the rete and the fuscina required agility, speed, and precision from the retiarius.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/retiarius-net-rete.html
Thraex - Parmula (Shield)
The parmula was generally a round or semi-circular shape with a slight convex curve. It was smaller than the large, rectangular shields used by some other gladiators. The size varied, but generally, the parmula had a diameter of about 60 to 80 centimeters (24 to 31 inches). This size made the shield more manageable and maneuverable for the thraex during combat.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/steel-round-shield-59-cm.html
Thraex - Galea (Helmet)
The galea or helmet of the thraex had a wide brim that was slightly upturned at the sides. It was usually made of metal and lined with fabric or leather on the inside for the wearer's comfort. At the top of the helmet, there was a distinctive fish-like crest. This may be why the thraex (the fish) was often pitted against the retiarius (the fisherman).
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/thraex-gladiator-helmet.html
Thraex - Manica (Arm Guard)
The thraex wore shin guards to protect the lower legs and a manica or arm covering on the right arm. The left arm was already protected by the shield. We have chosen a manica with scales to emphasize the contrast with the retiarius.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/leather-scaled-manica-armguard-gladiator.html
Thraex - sica
The thraex was armed with a short, curved sword called the sica. This curved shape allowed the thraex to make quick and powerful cutting movements. The design of the sica ensured that the weight was concentrated near the handle, promoting agility and control during combat. The sica was borrowed from the Thracians, which may explain the name Thraex.