User blog comment:Goddess of Despair/Season 3 battle 4 Gladiator vs Zulu warrior (rematch)/@comment-4661256-20130123215226

'El Alamein's "Historical Inaccuracies Abound!" Edges:'

 Close Range: Gladius vs. Zulu Axe:  The Gladius a shorter, more controllable weapon that can slash and stab - it's gonna decimate a poorly armored foe like the Zulu. The Zulu Axe, meanwhile, isn't nearly as strong, or durable, as the Gladius, and it's longer, meaning the closer the fight gets, the less useful the clumsy axe will be.

Edge: Gladiator

 Mid Range: Trident & Net vs. Iklwa:  Although the trident is a metal-tipped weapon and, when combined with the net, makes for a killer offense/defense combo, the Iklwa is the Zulu's primary weapon - they'll be at their A-game when using it. The slow gladiator will be no match against a swift-moving Zulu with the Iklwa.

Edge: Zulu Warrior

 Pilum vs. Iwisa:  The javelin will tear through the Zulu's body - the Iwisa will bounce off of the Gladiator's helmet. No more explanation needed.

Edge: Gladiator

 Special Weapons: Pugio vs. Spit of Poison:  Not only is the Spit of Poison a crap weapon, its usefulness is hindered further by the Gladiator's big helmet - the Pugio faces no such limitations against a flimsy cowhide shield and a bare chest.

Edge: Gladiator

 Shield: Parmula vs. Ishlangu:  Actually, I feel the Ishlangu has been super underrated here - it's the size of the Zulu warrior's torso, if not his whole freakin' body, and I'm sure that the cowhide will be good for stopping something, even if it is just one or two dagger thrusts. That being said, the far more powerful Parmula (while smaller) will stop much more than one or two simple hits.

Edge: Gladiator

WINNER: GLADIATOR

Damn it to hell - I wanted the Zulu to win really badly, and I spent the entire time typing out these edges trying to think of some way the Zulu could win... but I just don't see it happening. The Gladiator is slow and clumsy, and not very well trained, while the Zulu warrior is fast and agile, but his wooden weapons don't do him much of a favor against the bronze, iron, and steel of the Gladiator. The Zulu warrior is a better, more professional warrior, but the Gladiator would still kill him in a one-on-one fight. Scale it up to a Gladiator slave army in rebellion and take it against a Zulu army, however, and the Gladiators have no chance.