Murmillo

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A murmillo in the 1872 painting Pollice Verso by Jean-Léon Gérôme.

The murmillo (mirmillo) was a class of gladiator during the Roman Imperial age.

The distinguishing feature of the murmillo was the high crest of his helmet which, together with its broad rim, was shaped somewhat like a fish. Otherwise, he wore a loincloth, belt, a short greave on the left leg, a linen manica to protect his right arm, and the curved rectangular shield of the Roman legionary. He also carried the legionary's short, straight sword, or gladius, from which gladiators derived their name. The style of dress and arms are thought to have been derived from Gaulish prisoners. Sometimes, murmillos also fought in full armor, making them a formidable opponent.

The murmillo usually fought the thraex, retiarius, or hoplomachus. The pairing with the thraex was most common. Wearing a different helmet (smooth, brimless, and unadorned) the murmillo (as a secutor) would be matched with the retiarius, contrasting a heavily armoured gladiator with a lightly equipped one.