![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2ZK4JDK3Vv-LckNVH_maSFq_OpnJllcE0X-X-bFSpOyAcE4FGDlqqBcV11AOHV9b_z24Lux0NPztJ92Ditpy59f6W0AOmx86vptn2V8EpROKSjPE2f9Vm7VxhsFGgaCggpGBV-5TUqM/s400/Thraex.jpg)
This is my favorite, both the figure and the class of gladiator. I bought two copies of this figure; The pose is the most dynamic of the whole group, with his shield raised to deflect a sword blow, and his sica poised for a counter thrust. The second copy of this figure, I converted (easily) into a hoplomachus. It was a simple matter of cutting off the sica (curved sword) and drilling a hole to hold a new spear.
I made the feathers here from brass rod that was hammered flat then filed down to refine the edges. They are a bit oversized, but I wanted them to be a touch large to indicate this fighter's importance (as my favorite.)
The thraex is armored just like the hoplomachus -- two high greaves, quilted leg armor, quilt-armored weapon arm, helmet and small shield. He differs from the hoplomachus in a couple areas: The hoplon carries a small round shield (almost a buckler), whereas the thraex has a small square shield almost looking like a cut-down scutum.
Instead of a spear, the thaex carries a weapon not used by other gladiators: the sica. The sica is a small sword/dagger with a pronounced curve in the blade. As far as I've gathered, early sicas had more of rounded curve, and later versions (which I wanted to do here) had a distinct angled bend in the blade.
If anyone has been watching Spartacus: Sand and Blood, Spartacus fights his first few matches as a thraex.
A thraex would normally be matched up against a murmillo.
So that completes my three main pairings of gladiators. I still have a few fighters left to paint, but none of them have a dedicated opponent. Below are some of the major pairings one would probably see in the arena:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsAWQ4q-f9H6sD2-z3xHCESj73R8OJfSTjwhDU8n0-uiit0hYbt5LR5jVXmUbMKJA09lQ0ct2fKMFr1wYLgZ9mk5u0Zoqis_2IN9nP-huYAIEY7KdEQY30nv3OHXNRIuBmEK2EqOKf5Q/s400/Thraex+vs+Murmillo.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBGC8vI0pNSFFdHzetKKlQTY-XlBMRS_KZaE2k2vRjW4A3zIyI07ZISK-ZvNFoiGMUJuQz_qkdP5eWLF87gGcvXGiOTgS5iptF-Iv-Cj6ELXLa37w2opFLHZhUvpGQWfTrewr9isT96A/s400/Retiarius+vs+Secutor.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreTvsG4zafx1ahaZmNNlyucK2uuewzOlcVbX_78T6-tjm-nnNbhd85jUZLvgVxuoXn8eOcLqvRoqw0TiXSg2yZrYXNdyKg11Zhjcx5-RGKrBtpaHPVsYrqgATj2iInGD6EcS18aa_h_8/s400/Hoplomachus+vs+Murmillo.jpg)
Great works!!!
ReplyDeletewhere you bought the unpainted miniatures?
I'm searching good minis to paint them, but yours are the best!
Thanks for your info.
Ivan.
My 54mm gladiators I got at Black Cat Miniatures: http://www.blackcatminiatures.net/
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