Types

• A gladiator's armor was more theatrical and showy than armor worn by a soldier.Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  There were many different types of gladiator, so everyone in the group can have his or her own look. For example, the Thracian was easily recognized by his wide-brimmed, crested helmet, bug-like face mask, armored sleeve and calf-armor called greaves. The myrmillo resembled a Thracian but his helmet featured a dorsal fin rather than a crest. The retiarius wore little armor except a padded cloth bound to one arm and a bronze shoulder guard. The secutor was distinguished by his visored helmet that covered his entire head except for eye-holes, an armored sleeve and short greaves. There were even female gladiators, however, historians aren't certain what style of armor they wore.
  
  

Clothes

• Both male and female gladiators wore a triangular loincloth called a subligaculum. Make yourself a subligaculum from approximately 5 feet of cloth folded into an equilateral triangle. Wrap it around your waist like a towel, tie the two ends in front and then pull the remaining portion forward between your legs and tuck it under the knot in front. Let the remaining material hang down in front. Cover the unsightly knot with a wide leather-belt. Historians believe female gladiators covered their breasts with a bandage-like precursor to the bra called a strophium. Daring women may want to recreate this look with strips of cloth, however, a sports bra decorated with fabric paint would probably be a reasonable substitute. Historians don't believe the gladiators wore shoes, but for safety's sake you can probably wear any suitably Roman-looking leather sandals such as Birkenstocks.
  
  

Armor

• Gladiators wore bronze and iron armor and helmets. Suitably Roman-looking armor can be made by painting used sports pads with metallic paint. For example, "bronze" shoulder guards can be made from football or hockey shoulder pads while greaves can be made from a soccer player's shin guards. You can also create a gladiator's helmet from a sports helmet decorated with metallic paint or purchase one from a Halloween shop. However, for safety's sake you it is probably best not have a visor that covers the entire face.
  
  

Props

• Each style of gladiator had his or her own distinctive weapons. For example, the Thracian fought with a curved sword and small, round or square shield. The myrmillo carried a Roman soldier's gladius-style sword and a large rectangular shield. The retiarius carried a fishing net, a dagger and a three-pronged fishing spear called a trident. Halloween stores carry a wide assortment of plastic and wooden swords and accessories. A devil's pitchfork can easily be repurposed into a trident with metallic spray paint. Weapons can also be made from wood or cardboard decorated with metallic paint.