Was the Gladiators' fighting art superior to the oriental fighting arts?

Question

For example, what would have happened if an expert gladiator had fought against a Samurai or a Ninja or a Hwa Rang Do warrior or a Shaolin fighter?

Currently, do you think anyone might know the ancient gladiators' fighting art techniques?

Answer 1

The early gladiator's style was mainly Roman Greco and some where military trained in sword, spear and other weapons. Later as the gladiators became more diverse in origins such as africa and other nations the romans visited the styles were mixed. There is no way to say who was better but the samurai were pretty well versed in combat weapons too. They were all probly pretty even. So who ever was having the better day would prob. win.

Answer 2

thier eaquall

Answer 3

it is impossible to say.

I will say that the asian arts have been treated well by pop culture and anime, while "western" martial arts have not simply because it is easier to sell something that stokes people's curiosity for the "unfamiliar" and exotic.

in the end I will say that much of the asian fighting "unarmed" and armed techniques appear in many old european fectbooks- not going back as far as you suggest, but it shows that multiple cultures can invent similar techniques even in complete isolation. much of judo and other asian martial arts is seen in these records (like a studen'ts notes of class), or you could say much of european knowledge was found in japanese martial arts- bottom line is that since there wasn't a big cultural trade at the time it is more logical that they both developed similar techniques independantly.

so how does that affect your question?

quite simply, if at the time, there would have been similar techniques, (depending on the weapon) then it all would come down to the skill of the individual fighter AND/OR thier weapon match up.

a retiari with a trident and net (range) would most likely have an advantage against the samurai due to range, and the net.

romans enjoyed putting together "mismatches" so much of it went like that.  Also samurai armor was more developed and usually covered the entire body unlike even samnite or murmillo armor as gladiators were armed not to make them the best protected with the best armor available as legionares were, but to arm them for the entertainment of the crowd, however one large advantage a samurai wouldn't have, is a shield.

so there really are too many factors to determine but in the end it still comes down to the individuals, and thier weapons and armor.

Answer 4

No.

There are no superior arts. There are only superior artist. I know you didn't ask this question, but there are no invincible fighters. Everyone if they fight long enough will lose. The style does cause them to win or lose necessarily. Some people are better matches for others.

When I was in high school. There were 2 guys in our club that would always beat me in tournament. I always fought up. But if a guy beat them in the same tournament, I would always beat the guys that beat them. Later after taking a year off because of a broken leg. I finally beat one of those guys in our club. I never got the opportunity to compete against the other one. I still want to...lol. I want to beat him too.

Answer 5

They where all good fighters in those days compare to what we see now, I wouldn't say nether, just depends on the day and who you would fight that day. They were all good at what they did best live and fight to the death and be the best of the best.

Answer 6

We may never know.

Answer 7

Some of the styles of gladiators is known. I don't think they were superior. in that time period fighting was a means of survival in both parts of the world. Many gladiators did not last long in the competitions. Those who did were probably great fighters. I believe from the historical accounts I have read that most were not professional fighters but criminals or captives forced to fight with little training. This is not the ideal way to train formidable fighters.

What is with all the thumbs down on all these answers? Someone asks for an opinion and people post opinions. Some more informed than others.

Answer 8

No. Neither was the gladiators' fighting art better than the oriental arts. It depends on each individual's commitment to training.

Answer 9

there is no superior style just fighters. it depends on who was the best at thier style

Answer 10

I would think a seasoned gladiator would do best.  The reason being that they would likely have more matches against people from all over the world at that time.  People were brought in from all corners of Rome and the conquered people were put in life or death matches.  Where as the others listed would only fight those from their culture during battles and probably not have as many matches or real world experience.