On a recent trip to Rome, I had the pleasure of doing a gladiator workshop, with a Roman Reenactment group called   .  It was very interesting to experience their training methods.  They used shaped a shaped wooden gladius called a rudus.  There were 5 strikes delivered weapon side forward, and five parries, performed weapon side back.  4 of the parries were strong, the 5^th, which was against the center thrust, was designed to get the defender towards the back of the attacker.   The texture was similar to Balintiwak Escrima, however  the emphasis was on angles that would avoid gladiator helmets and armour.   The instruction was 1^st class. Marcus had 5 tiros (untrained gladiators) of varying ages from 8 to 58 (me), and varying degrees of experience and athleticism.  He managed in an hour and a half, to teach every one something about how to use a short sword without a shield.  I was honored to be his demonstration partner, as he saw immediately that I had weapon training.   We practiced the strikes, and then the parries in sequence, first solo, and then with a partner.  Then Marcus began calling random numbers.  This was very interesting to see that even in a beginner`s class they did not want tiros to become pattern fixated.  This is something that I will carry into my own classes.   At the end of the class Marcus brought out iron demonstration gladius (blunt), and he ran through the attacks with me parrying.  He allowed me to experience success, but made me work for it. 

All in all, it was a wonderful  experience.  I learned enough to practice at home, and got a few new teaching ideas. I also train with a group called Acadamie Duello in Vancouver. Here I study Medieval sidesword (one hander) and shield. Maestro Devon Boorman and his instructors have given me new insights into edged weapon use, and are wonderful people to talk with and hangout with. I highly recommend sampling arts from other cultures.  It gives a different view of technique, and training,  and is a chance to meet new friends, and ideas.