I've seen many films depicting roman gladiators wearing thick sleeves of what looked like wool or cotton on their arms or underneath leg armor. I'm guessing that these had a similar purpose as a gambeson, to cushion a blow, or maybe a relation to their development in Europe. If any one could shed some light on this it would much appreciated. :)

We have little idea what was worn under any kind of Roman armour. It is likely that segmentata required an undergarment of some kind that was heavily padded at the shoulders but we know nothing about other kinds of under-armour. IMO scale, mail, and solid cuirasses probably had integrated liners of some kind - not a separate arming garment.

Gladiators aren't really my thing, so I haven't studied them closely, but the quilted limb defenses appear to be an interpretation of something in artwork that might be, well, quilted limb defenses! They aren't meant to be padding under other armor. They *could* be a misinterpretation of segmented metal armor, but like I said, I haven't studied the artwork in question.

I suspect that modern reenactors like them because they are relatively easy to make and they soak up impact, allowing a little less caution in their fights.

Matthew

Looks like some padding for the greave http://www.tforum.info/forum/index.php?showtopic=33181