The ancient world boasted many special weapons, some of which became almost ritualized. Roman gladiators' weapons reflected gods, barbarians, and idealized warriors--of 16 different types! Our team works with tridents and nets, Thracian daggers and bucklers, heavy armor and short swords, no armor and long swords. Just like gladiators, they start with wooden weapons and progress to the real thing. But did the extraordinary styles and skills developed in the arena have any practical purpose? TV PG