Girt, Her. (See Girdled.)
Gisarme. A scythe-shaped weapon with a pike, fixed on a long staff.
Gittern, O. E. A small guitar, strung with catgut.
Givre. (See Wyvern.)
Glabrous (Lat. glaber). Smooth, bald.
Glade (Norman glette, a clear spot among clouds). An opening or passage in a wood through which the light may shine.
Gladiators were first exhibited at Rome, B.C. 264, at a funeral. The practice had its origin in that very ancient one of slaughtering slaves and captives on such occasions. Subsequently it became more general. The different classes of gladiators, distinguished by their arms and other circumstances, were: Andabatæ, who wore helmets without any opening for the eyes, and therefore fought blindfold; Essedarii, who fought from chariots (Essedæ); Hoplomachai, who wore heavy defensive armour; Laqueatores, who carried a sort of lasso or noose; Meridiani, who fought in the middle of the day, and were very slightly armed; Mirmillones, so called from their having the image of a fish (mormyr) on their helmets; Retiarii, armed with a trident and a net. Others, as Samnites, Thraces, &c., were named from the nation whose fashion of armour they adopted. The fights of gladiators were favourite subjects of Roman art, and it is assumed that in cases where no actual combats took place at a funeral, they were represented on the walls of tombs in sculpture or paint. The most celebrated statues of the kind are the so called “Dying Gladiator” in the museum of the capitol at Rome, and the Gladiator of the Borghese collection.
Gladiolus. Diminutive of Gladius, and synonym of Ligula. (See both words.)
Fig. 356. Roman sword.