Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Bestiarius

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

BESTIA'RIUS (θηριομάχης). One who was trained and hired to fight with wild beasts at the Circensian games, in the Roman amphitheatre, or upon any particular occasion when shows of this nature were exhibited to the people. (Cic. Sext. 64. Id. Q. Fr. ii. 6.) The Bestiarii were distinct from the gladiators, and altogether regarded as an inferior class of combatants (Pet. Sat. 45. 11.); nevertheless, they were at first fully protected, like them, with defensive and offensive armour; viz. a helmet, shield, knife or sword, and defences for the legs; most of which particulars are shown in the illustration (Bestiarius/1.1), forming part of a bas-relief let into the wall of the Palazzo Savelli, now Orsini, at Rome, and which is built upon the ruins of the theatre of Marcellus; at the dedication of which 600 wild beasts were killed, a slaughter commemorated, no doubt, by the bas-relief here introduced. But latterly they became more distinct in their accoutrements and mode of fighting, having no body armour beyond bandages on their legs and arms; and for offensive weapons, carrying only a spear or a sword in one hand, and a piece of coloured cloth, like the Spanish matador, in the other; as shown by the annexed example (Bestiarius/1.2), from a tomb at Pompeii. This custom was first introduced in the reign of Claudius. Plin. H. N. viii. 21.

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  Bestiarius/1.1
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  Bestiarius/1.2