Quote Originally Posted by Jeanne d'arc
One of the roman units are gladiators , where they used in the roman armies back then??I thought they only fight in arena's for entertainment to the crowd.
This is one of 'those' issues. Here, IMO, is why their inclusion - as units are a bit silly.

1. There is documented evidence of Gladiators fighting during the Sparticus Slave revolt, circa 72BCE, and as part of one of the "claiment" armies during the Civil Wars of 69CE.
2. However, these men would have fought in legionary attire - gladiator attire being more suited for a "show" rather than serious fighting.
3. Therefore, these men would have been indistinguishable from a run of the mill legionary.
4. So their inclusion - as units in gladiator attire - is ahistorical, quite silly and a sop to those whose only knowledge of Roman history comes from a Riddley Scott movie.

Barkhorn.