dimachaerus

Palus was the most perfect _dimachaerus_ ever seen in the Colosseum.

Andivius Hedulio Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the Empire Edward Lucas White 1900

Even when, very occasionally, if Palus happened to be in a rollicking mood, each substituted a second quarter-staff for his shield and, as it were, travestied a _dimachaerus_, as what might be called a two-staff-man or a double-staff-man, hits were still not frequent.

Andivius Hedulio Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the Empire Edward Lucas White 1900

_dimachaerus_ has to depend on parrying and his antagonist knows what to expect.

Andivius Hedulio Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the Empire Edward Lucas White 1900