“Deadliest Warrior” – S01E01 – Apache vs. Gladiator
Deadliest Warrior – Season 01, Episode 01 – Apache vs. Gladiator
Deadliest Warrior is a TV show that uses scientific evidence and real life tests to analyze the weapons and fighting styles of warriors throughout history. Each episode puts two organizations (or specific leaders) head-to-head and see which one would theoretically win in combat.
As a fan of military history, combat, fighting, and weapons in general, this show was a natural attraction for me. And for the most part, the episodes are quite entertaining (and rather bloody at times.) Since season three of Deadliest Warrior begins very, very soon, I figured it was about time to go back and start reviewing all of the episodes from seasons one and two.
Season one, episode one analyzes what would happen if an Apache warrior was to fight against a Roman Gladiator. One of them is a lightweight, agile fighter who uses stealth and agility to kill, while the other is a stand-up, tough warrior who can take a beating and still kill with a variety of weapons.
Without looking ahead at the results, I’d say that head-to-head in an arena the gladiator would win. However, if the fight was in terrain more suitable for an Apache, with trees and other hiding spots suitable for hit-and-run attacks, then I’d give the edge to the Apache.
VERSUS 
WEAPONS:
For this episode of Deadliest Warrior, the Apache was armed with a tomahawk, knife, bow and arrow, and a war club. The Roman Gladiator was armed with a cestus (battle gloves), scissor (a semicircular blade at the end of the gladiator’s hand), trident and net, sling, and a sica (short sword.) In addition to his weapons, the gladiator wore a bronze helmet and carried a large round shield.
short-range weapons: Tomahawk versus Cestus and Scissor
It wasn’t a surprise that the Apache’s tomahawk devastated the targets. In addition to it being a lethal hand weapon, a skilled warrior can throw the tomahawk and deliver a fatal strike. The gladiator’s cestus, on the other hand, was virtually nothing in comparison. While it can deliver punishing blows to an opponent, the cestus just wasn’t a killing device in comparison to the tomahawk.
The gladiator’s scissor was significantly more lethal than the cestus. In the demonstration it pulverized the giant slab of meat, bones and all. But when it comes to the Apache’s tomahawk versus the gladiator’s cestus and scissors, the edge went to the tomahawk because of its versatility. The tomahawk can easily be thrown and disable an opponent while the Apache closes the distance and finishes him.
mid-range weapons: Knife versus Trident and Net
It seems strange that a knife is being compared to a trident and net, with the gladiator having a significantly longer reach than the Apache. But as we saw in the demonstration, A) Apaches can throw their knives with deadly accuracy, and B) Apaches carry several knives into combat, allowing him to throw a few of them while in battle.
The gladiator’s net is a versatile weapon, allowing the gladiator to distract, disarm, or ensnare his opponent while he moves in to strike with the trident. And it’s because of the net that the hosts give the edge of mid-range weapons to the gladiator. Let’s also not forget that the gladiator’s trident has some serious penetration power, being able to reach deep within the body and cause some serious carnage.
long-range weapons: Sling versus Bow and Arrow
Up first we see the gladiator’s sling in action. While it may technically be a lethal weapon, the problem comes down to accuracy. Placing the absolute perfect shot can be lethal, but in the meantime, if you strike the opponent, the damage will range to him being briefly stunned, to having a broken bone, to even just a mild bruise. While reloading and setting up for the next sling, the opponent will close a lot of distance.
The Apache’s bow and arrow was just as lethal as one would expect. The accuracy was significantly better, the arrows flew faster, and it’s much more likely that a well placed shot will disable or kill the opponent. If a shot misses, another aimed shot can be fired within a couple of seconds.
special weapons: Sica versus War Club
The gladiator’s sica is a curved, short sword designed to jab and slice around an opponent’s shield. Put some weight behind the strike and it’s easy to slice off an arm, jab it deep into a chest, or even decapitate an opponent completely.
The Apache’s war club easily smashed the test skull, but when put up against the ultimate test of the gladiator’s helmet, the war club failed miserably. The helmet stayed intact and after a few strikes the club actually broke, destroying the Apache’s weapon.
From the start it seemed like a short sword versus a club wasn’t much of a battle. The club is quite versatile and can strike an opponent from many angles, but when it comes to killing, all of a sudden the strike zones on the human body are greatly reduced. The club would be great in a sneak attack when you have a clear short at the back of an opponents head, but when it comes to the stabbing and slashing power of a short sword, the edge goes to the gladiator’s sword.
OVERALL WINNER — APACHE
FINAL THOUGHTS
After simulating one thousand battles between the Apache and Roman Gladiator, the Apache was the hands-down winner, winning 667 of the matches. The Apache’s best weapons were the tomahawk along with the bow and arrow, while the Roman Gladiator was best with the trident and net along with his sica.
But it was the Apache who found victory more often in the end, winning 66% of the simulated battles.
Although we saw the gladiator carry a great big shield during the final battle, this was not tested in the battle lab. At least, we didn’t see the people test any weapons against it in this episode of Deadliest Warrior. More than once in the battle scene the shield proved to be quite useful in both offense and defense.
The terrain was definitely in favor of the Apache. While the battle started on an open field, it finished in a wooded area, allowing the Apache to use some of it to his advantage. Had this fight taken place in an open arena in Rome surrounded by thousands of screaming people, the gladiator might have had an edge.
This final fight scene was a little bit sloppy. If the Apache had clearly won so many of the simulated battles, then the gladiator should not have been straddling him in the end and in a perfect position to deliver a fatal blow with his cestus or edge of his shield. Instead of finishing him right there, the gladiator stood up like an idiot and allowed the Apache to finish him with a knife attack.