Spartan Hoplite: The armor-clad killing machine of ancient Greece…
Vs…
Roman Centurion: The leaders of the Roman legions who allowed Rome to grow into a great empire.
Who…is…deadliest?
"We finally get to see the two earliest great military structures go head to head." Mack said.
"Let's see who has better stats." Dorian said.
Spartan Hoplite:
Circa: 480 BC
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 165 lbs.
Weapons and Armor:
Xiphos
Dory
Aspis
Corinthian Helmet
Bronze Cuirass, Greaves, and Arm Guards
Roman Centurion:
Circa: 120 AD
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 170 lbs.
Weapons and Armor:
Gladius
Lancea
Scutum
Centurion Helmet
Lorica Segmentata and Iron Greaves
Close Range:
Xiphos vs. Gladius
"We've seen the gladius perform and the Crocea Mors gladius could not penetrate bronze cuirass, the helmet of the Spartan is bronze so a helmet shot would be less effective than on Hannibal's brass helmet. So we just need to see if the xiphos can go through the Centurion's armor." Geoff said.
The expert is given one stab at the iron armor of the Centurion. Geoff gives the countdown and the expert stabs into the chest of the armor, plunging through and getting a few inches into the body. "Looking into this, we can see the blade has hit the aorta, the blood loss would be tremendous and he'd die almost instantly." Dorian said.
Which close range weapon gets the edge? "I have no decision; it's even for me on the armor piercing ability and the reach." Dorian said.
"Edge even for me too, it all depends on how close they are." Geoff said.
"Edge even." Mack said.
EDGE: Even
Coming up, these warriors bash and crush at eachother with their shields. Later, the spears of these famous groups are tested to prove superiority.
Special Weapons:
Aspis vs. Scutum
"We've seen both shields perform before and personally, I already give my edge to the aspis. It's more durable and can kill; the scutum can only knock you back." Mack said.
"I have to agree, edge aspis." Geoff said.
"I'm all aboard on this on, too, edge aspis." Dorian said.
EDGE: Aspis
Mid Range:
Dory vs. Lancea
"We've seen the dory perform before and the only test I'm concerned for is can it pierce the centurion's armor." Geoff said.
A gel torso is set up with the centurion armor and Geoff gives the countdown. The expert thrusts forward with his iron spearhead, half the spear sinking into the body. "Wow, you would hit dead center, middle of the heart, instant kill." Dorian said.
"But he can only thrust with it; our spear can do that and be thrown." the Centurion expert said.
"The lancea was a very effective spear/javelin of Roman, dense iron head; it was 4 feet long and just over a pound." Dave explains.
To test if the lancea can pierce the Spartan armor, a new gel torso is given the Spartan's cuirass, the expert is given a thrust and then a throw. Geoff gives the countdown and the expert stabs underhand into the stomach of the torso, only touching the flesh on the other side. He runs back with the spear and hurls it, bouncing of the left chest, leaving a small dent. "The first shot only grazed the flesh and of course the lance did not reach the flesh on the next attempt." Dorian said.
"But, my spear is much lighter so I can maneuver it more easily." the expert added.
So which mid range weapon gets the edge? "The dory has it; it can penetrate the armor and has two ends." Geoff said.
"If you throw that lancea, it will just bounce of the Spartan's shield in the first place, edge dory." Mack said.
"The dory got into the body, the lancea did not, edge dory." Dorian said.
EDGE: Dory
X-Factors:
"For ferocity, we gave the Spartans a 98 and the Centurion an 88 because of the Spartans training and how scrappier they were. For training, we gave the Spartan a 100 and the Centurion a 97 because of the lifetime of training the Spartan received. For physicality, the Spartan got a 97 to the Centurion's 91 because of the training the Spartan experienced and their fighting style. For intimidation, we gave the Spartan a 95 and the Centurion an 86 because of how Spartans used unconventional means to wage war. Finally, we have killer instinct, we gave the Spartan a 100 and the Centurion a 98 because the Spartan was born a killer, the Centurion could become one." Rob explained.
"Let's flip the switch." Geoff said.
Spartan OOOOO
Centurion ooooo ø Ø
The battle begins with five Spartans training in a field in Sparta. But, they here the strange blare of an instrument and see five Centurions 100 yards away on the same flat grassy plain. The Spartans stand side by side and lock shields, pointing their spears outward. The Centurions assume the tortoise formation and advance. The Spartans charge faster and collide into the Centurions, knocking them back. The second and third Spartans thrust into the first row of the tortoise, stabbing the two Centurions in the face (ø,ø). The remaining Centurions fall back and unleash their lancea, two bounce of the Spartan shields, one goes high and sticks a Spartan in the eye (Ø). The Spartans charge again and bash into the Centurions, who hold ground and slash over the top of their shield, slicing the throat of a curious Spartan (Ø). The Spartans retaliate and thrust over top with their spears, but they are all caught by the Centurions, who rip them away and fling them aside. The Spartans draw their xiphos swords and thrust under their shield, two hit a single Centurion in both thighs, dropping him. The Spartans surround the Centurions, the downed Centurion is stabbed in the chest by a xiphos and left to die (ø). The Centurions fight wildly, but their blows are blocked by the shields, simultaneously, they are stabbed in the sides of their necks by two Spartans. As they collapse to their knees, they are slammed in the back of the necks with a Spartan aspis, breaking their necks (ø,ø). The Spartans lay the two dead in their shield and return to training.
Spartan Centurion
Xiphos- 47% Gladius- 53%
Dory- 59% Lancea- 42%
Aspis- 90% Scutum- 10%
Armor Fail Rate: Armor Fail Rate:
Helmet: 9% Helmet: 5%
Armor: 4% Armor: 24%
Shield: 1% Shield: 2%
2,746 Wins 2,254 Wins
X-Factors:
Ferocity: 98 Ferocity: 88
Training: 100 Training: 97
Physicality: 97 Physicality: 91
Intimidation: 95 Intimidation: 86
Killer Instinct: 100 Killer Instinct: 98
"The reason the Spartan won was because his training was more intense, his armor held out, and his shield could kill, unlike the scutum." Mack said.
Next Week: It's battle between Europe's most ferocious fighters: The Viking: The Scandinavian brute whose fierce attacks pillaged Europe.
Vs…
The Celt: The innovative Iron Age killer who invented their own armor, chainmail.
Who will be…the deadliest warrior?