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The manica - a textile arm armor - which is part of the standard equipment of most gladiator types.
Most gladiator types carried a shield in addition to their main armament which could effectively protect one side of the body.
The manica was always worn on the other arm and should therefore protect the sword arm.
Even the very lightly armored retiarius wore a manica on the arm to which the galerus (shoulder shield) was attached to hold one side of the body a little more defensively.
This authentic replica of a manica from Ancient Empires Reproductions is intended for the right arm. There are versions for the left arm as well as without leather straps.
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