User blog comment:Jmanghan/Pier Gerlofs Donia vs Spartacus/@comment-3189283-20160302120547

Let's see shall we

Close Range

I don't know what the size specifications of a "Giant Meat Cleaver" are but it doesn't matter because a Cleaver is not a military grade weapon and would likely break on any decent armour as well as being limited to a schizophrenic serial killer style of hacking. The Gladius, being an actual weapon, if much better built and designed for said task and it has more varied uses.

Edge: Spartacus

Mid Range

The Trident & Net is a combo that works well together, with the Net ensnaring an opponent for the gladiator to spear them with the Trident but as a weapon on it's own as it doesn't have a great deal of penetration and is pretty easy to avoid. That being said it's a much better option than the pike which is too unwieldy to be used in a one on one due to it's large size.

Edge: Gladiator

Long Range

Gunpowder weapon > Sling.