User blog comment:Postapocfan1999/Season 1 Episode 5: Spartacus VS King Leonidas/@comment-379205-20130813214215

119's "The Pic's Not a Dory" Edges


 * Swords: The Sica takes this as it is made of higher quality metal, having the advantage of over 300 years of metallurgical advances. The Sica is also designed to be thrust around a shield, giving it the edge. Edge: Spartacus.


 * Spears: The Spartan Dory is longer and the combination of spear and shield will probably be more effective than trident and net in many combat scenario. However, gladiators often used the net and the forks of the trident to ensnare and opponent or his weapons, immobilizing and/or disarming him. Even


 * Javelins: The pilum takes this as it is designed to pierce armor and shields, rendering a shield useless and piercing armor and wounding or killing the man behind it. The pilum is also designed to bend on impact, meaning it cannot be returned by the enemy. The javelin lacks this feature, so Spartacus' soldiers could thrown Leonidas' javelins back at him.


 * Shields and Armor: The Roman gladiator might use either a round, Greek-style shield, similar to the one Leonidas would have used, or an oblong Roman-style scutum. In either case, Spartacus' shield would be as large or larger than Leonidas'. As for armor, Spartacus' armor take the edge, being made of iron, rather than softer bronze.


 * X-Factors: Leonidas definitely takes leadership, though Spartacus was nonetheless a charismatic leader, so this one is close. As for training, I'll give the brutal training of the Spartan's a slight edge, as gladiatorial training was no doubt just as brutal, but probably not at quite the level of true military training. At first glance, Spartacus seems to take tactics, however, one must look at the conditions of the match- the large phalanx formations used by the Spartans won't really be possible in a seven vs seven battle. Instead, it will likely break up in to seven one-on-one battles, which Spartacus' experience as a gladiator will give him greater experience and personal combat skills. Because of the nature of the battle, Spartacus takes a slight edge.

Overall Winner: This battle will be a close one, with both side losing most of their men. However, in my opinion, Spartacus will prevail in this battle because of his greater experience in personal combat, which will prove more valuable than formation warfare in a seven-seven fight. Spartacus will be further aided by fact that his weapons are made of higher quality metals with more advanced metallurgy.