Chapter 6: Viking vs Roman Centurion
Viking: The battle crazed berserker who terrorized Europe.
(Vikings are seen charging into a village, a defender gets hacked by a viking Axe.)
vs
Roman Centurion: The commander who led Rome to conquer the world.
(A centurion is seen leading his men into battle.)
WHO IS DEADLIEST?
To find out, we've assembled a team of world class fighters to test history's most lethal weapons. Using 21stcentury science, we'll see what happens when two warriors go toe to toe.
No rules. No safety. No mercy. It's a duel to the death to decide who is…THE DEADLIEST WARRIOR!
Here in our elite fight club we have gathered doctors, medical scientists and weapons experts to test out the lethal arsenals wielded by each of our combatants to determine who would win a fight between two warriors who never met in a face to face duel:
Viking:
Circa: 1000 A.D.
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 180 lbs.
Armor: Riveted Chainmail, Spectacled Steel Helmet
Roman Centurion:
Circa: 120 A.D.
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 170 lbs.
Armor: Lorica Segmentata, Galea, Iron Greaves, Scutum
"This is going to be a battle between two brutal warriors. The Viking versus the Roman Centurion. Both destroyed all who stood in their way. It will be exciting to see who will kill who." Mack explained.
"This is a hard decision given the ferocity of both warriors, but in the end I'm going to side with the Centurion," biomedical scientist Geoff Desmoulin started, "History speaks for itself with them belonging to an empire that lasted for well over a thousand years. The Vikings never created an empire of any kind. History is on the centurion's side."
"I think the Viking can beat him." Dr. Armand Dorian says. " They are bigger, meaner, nastier. He was there to kill you, take your stuff and bring them back to his own family."
Vikings were sailors and warriors that settled across the northern lands, pirating and pillaging to obtain the natural resources and valuables essential to their survival.
"The Vikings were forged by the frigid climates of the great north, they were tough since the day they were born," Mack explained, "They lived for war and all who stood in their way were doomed."
Vikings didn't just fight to plunder, but also to die in battle, believing that was their only way to Valhalla.
"They had an intrepid nature that enabled them to discover the Americas 400 years before Columbus, coupled with a religious view glorifying a violent death, they will truly be unlike anything the Centurion has ever encountered," Mack finished.
The Viking brings to battle an assortment of deadly weapons that made them the most feared plunderers of their day:
Short Range: Long Sword
Mid-Range: Dane Axe
Long Range: Boar Spear
Special: Shield
Today, the viking takes on a new challenger, one who lead Rome to become a superpower.
The Centurion was a high-ranking officer in the Roman army, leading a unit known as a 'centuria' consisting of 80 men, whom they were directly responsible for training.
"The Centurion was cutting edge for his day because for one of the first times in history, a man could make his living entirely through warfare and killing," Mack explained, "They were selected for their skill and valor, having served anywhere between 10 and 20 years before they could attain their rank. You would have to be damn tough in order to live long enough to receive that kind of promotion in those days."
The Centurion fought on the frontlines as the Roman Republic expanded into the Roman Empire, which would at its height contain territorial holdings in Mediterranean Europe, Africa and Asia.
"They were the elite of the elite who fought only for the glory of Rome. They were a symbol of order and respect who sought to display the skill and courage which got them their rank in the first place," Mack finished.
The Centurion brings a brutal conquering arsenal to the battlefield:
Short Range: Gladius
Mid-Range: Pilum
Long Range: Plumbata
Special Weapon: Dolabra
Both teams start about up close and personal with their respective swords. Up first will be the Roman Centurion with his gladius.
"The gladius was a straight-bladed Roman short sword that measured 30 inches in length, forged from a hard steel blade with a hilt made from corrugated bone," weapons maker Dave Baker explained, "It was made primarily for thrusting, although it could cut and slice."
Centurion expert Terence Rotolo stood at the ready with a gladius in one hand and a Roman scutum in the other. In front of him was a ballistic gel torso suspended from two cables, outfitted in the viking's chainmail.
"Alright Jerry, we've rigged up this torso to simulate a charging Viking." Geoff explained, "We want you to show us the gladius' stabbing power at various points around the armor and its slashing capabilities."
"Gotcha," he replied getting into his combative stance.
"On 3…2…1, release the Viking!" Geoff ordered.
The torso comes charging at Terence. He bashes with the scutum then swings at the neck, severing the head. He then stabs through the chainmail into the heart.
Dr. Dorian assesses the damage. " The first strike to the neck, you managed to sever all major arteries and of course took the head off. Instant kill. Your stab to the armor penetrated, and you got the heart, another instant kill.
"Yeah that sword is doing some damage. Our sword however is longer and when you have it coming at you its an onslaught." Viking expert Casey Hendershot said.
The Viking responds to the challenge with his famed long sword.
"The Viking's long sword was a straight-bladed, double-sided sword forged together from iron and steel," Dave Baker explained, "It could thrust and slash and due to the shortness of its hilt, it was almost always used one-handed. It was three feet in length and weighed three pounds."
Casey stands ready with his Longsword. He will attack a torso outfitted in the lorica segmemtata armor of the centurion.
"Casey for this test, like with the Gladius, we want to see shots to the armor and unarmored portions." Geoff explained.
"You got it."
"On 3...2...1... Slice and dice!"
Casey swings at the armor, denting it but not penetrating, he then stabs into it, the blade penetrated. He finished with a swing that decapitates the torso and the head comes right off.
"Alright, your first strike to the armor did dent it, but he is only winded from the blow. Your stab managed to penetrate cut into the skin. Nothing serious. And lastly, you decapitated the torso. Instant kill."
Both swords have demonstrated their killing ability, but what does our panel think?
"I'm definitely going with the long sword on this one," Geoff said, "It's longer and it's shown its effectiveness as a slashing weapon, even if it wasn't able to penetrate the segmentata. I'm still impressed by it overall."
"I'll have to go with the gladius." Dorian countered. " Sure it is shorter but it managed to penetrate the chainmail and got into the heart. Also, when paired with the scutum, it is a deadly combo. Edge Gladius."
"While doc presents a good argument, the longsword gets the edge because of its length and harder hitting power. Edge longsword." Mack concludes.
In a two to one vote, viking gets the edge in short range with his longsword.
Coming up, both warriors break out their mid-range arsenal, an iconic Viking head splitter going up against a deadly throwing javelin.
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Now it is time for both warriors to break out their mid-range arsenals. Up first will be the Viking with an iconic weapon known and feared throughout ancient Scandinavia, the Dane Axe.
"The Dane axe was a brutal battle tool with a thin iron head possessing pronounced 'horns' and a steel cutting edge. It had a five foot long wooden handle and weighed seven pounds altogether," Dave explained, "Its purpose was powerful, overhanded chops that took advantage of the Viking's great height."
"As it was with the long sword, we've once again set up two targets for you, one unarmored and the other wearing Centurion gear. Show us what you can do," Geoff said motioning towards two more ballistic gel torsos.
"On 3…2…1, hack 'em up!" Geoff shouted.
Raising the axe high above his head, Casey brought it down into the unarmored torso, cleaving deep into its gel surface with a wet 'thuk' that made the others wince as the blade was pulled out and fake blood shot out.
With the torso obliterated. Casey makes his way over to the armored torso. He does another mighty swing to the galea helmet. The Axe hits it with so much force the plume is destroyed and the gales is dented severely. He loads up for a final swing at the segmemtata. The Axe leaving another impressive dent.
"This is a scary weapon." Dorian says approaching the torsos. Your first torso is completely annihilated, this is equivalent to being run over by a train."
He walks to the next torso
"The strike to the helmet hit with enough force to cause a skull fracture. And your blow to the segmemtata did not penetrate, but he will suffer a broken rib." Very impressive weapon."
Mack approaches " Did you feel tired at all?"
"Not necesarrily but after the third strike, it set in just a bit." Casey replies.
"That toy looks scary, but it's all hype, Terence laughed, "My weapon might look simple, but it's just as deadly."
The Roman Centurion answers the challenge with the pilum.
"The pilum was a javelin used by the Roman armies," Dave started, "It was six feet long and weighed six pounds, ending with an iron shank that had a pyramidal head that made it superior at penetrating armor. It had a maximum throwing distance of 100 feet, though its effective range was between 50 to 65 feet. It was purposely designed so that the shank bent or broke off from its wooden shaft upon impact to prevent the opponent from being able to throw it back."
"Alright Terence, we have prepared a test aimed at showing off the pilum's primary function as a throwing weapon," Geoff explained motioning to a spot where three white bags were suspended from the ceiling. "Each of these blood bags possesses the rough density of human tissue and beneath them, we have the kind of chainmail vikings wore. Show us what this weapon can do."
"Gladly," Terence smirked towards Casey before grabbing a pilum and getting into position.
Drawing his arm back, the weapons expert tossed the pilum forward and it hit one of the bags with a wet'thuk,' a torrent of stage blood gushing from the bag and spilling all over the floor below. Smirking at his first successful hit, he reaches for a second pilum and tosses it at the next bag, another direct hit. He grabs the next pilum and strikes the last bag to deliver another successful strike. He throws the last pilum at the armor, penetrating with the head protruding out the other side.
"All of those pilums were dead on and all would be deep enough to be kills," Dr. Dorian reported as he made his way over and checked the pilum sticking through the chainmail. " With your final pilum, you hit him in the left lung, this will be an incapacitating injury."
Both mid-range weapons have proven their worth in battle, but where do our experts stand?
"I'm gonna have to go with the pilum," Geoff started, "In spite of its relatively simple appearance, it has flexible killing potential as both a spear and throwing projectile."
"I disagree and will have to go with the Dane Axe. Sure it can't get past the segmemtata. It hits with so much power it was able to fracture the centurion's skull even with the helmet, no matter where it hits you, you'll feel that hit. Edge Dane Axe." Dorian counters.
"You're right doc but, at both long and short ranges, the pilum is lighter and designed to break when it hits. Plus the Axe is tires out the user. Edge pilum." Mack says.
In mid-range weapons, the Centurion takes the edge with his pilum.
Coming up, both sides reveal their deadly missle weapons, then later, the viking and centurion will finally face off.
XXXX
Now we have both warriors testing their long range missle weapons. But since we've tested the plumbata in our last battle, we will move onto the viking with his boar spear.
"The Viking boar spear was a very basic spear with a metal head on a wooden shaft that had multiple uses," Dave explained, "It had steel guards near the head that could block attacks and were sharpened to improve the cutting power and cause more trauma in the body. They were typically around seven feet in length and weighed six pounds."
Casey was positioned in front of several circular wooden targets with large red 'X's' painted in the center. There were four boar spears lying on a table next to him.
"Vikings typically carried four spears at once, show us just how accurate these can be," Geoff instructed.
"With pleasure," Casey nodded, picking up a spear and taking a position 25 feet away from the targets.
Taking a forward step, the weapons expert launched his spear and sent it flying into the first target, striking just above the 'X.'
Grabbing the second spear, Casey tosses it and hits the target right in the dead center.
"Impressive," Geoff remarked with a whistle.
"Keep in mind, a very skilled Viking can also throw two spears at once," Casey remarked before picking up the last two spears and chucking them simultaneously, both of them finding their intended targets.
The team them brings up a torso wearing the centurion's segmemtata.
Casey picks up a spear and throws it. The spear penetrated the armor and sticks in. He chucks his last at the torso, this one also penetrated.
"I am seeing the same degree of penetration in all of these targets," Geoff said as he went to examine the circular wooden targets, "These would very likely be serious kill shots, or at least incapacitate an enemy to the point they would be left open to other attacks."
Meanwhile, Dr. Dorian made his way over to the ballistic gel torso.
"Your first spear penetrated about an inch into the armor, just a flesh wound but it will hurt him. Your second spear, basically the same as the first one."
The team watches the plumbata test from " Celt vs Gladiator" their decision is final.
Both weapons have a similar concept behind them, but where does our panel stand?
"For me, the boar spear definitely takes the edge. It's faster, inflicts more trauma and requires less training," Geoff said.
"I'll agree with you on this one. I'm sure the plumbata can penetrate the viking chainmail, but the spear has so much more killing power behind it and hits much harder. Edge Viking." Dorian says.
"That and you can throw two helps it in the long run. Edge Viking." Mack finished.
Coming up, both sides break out their special weapons and then after that, it's a duel to the death to decide who is 'The Deadliest Warrior!'
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Now both sides break out their special weapons. Up first will be the viking.
"The Viking used a circular iron-rimmed wooden shield made from planks fastened together side by side," Dave explained, "It was meant to be chewed up as a fight went on and when struck with an ax or sword, the blade would be caught, enabling the user to perform just a simple twist to disarm his enemy, and was also particularly effective against arrows.
A foam target was set up with sensor patches and Casey got into position in front of it with his shield at the ready.
Going for a feint attack as he would with a human adversary, Casey swung the shield sideways, catching his foe in the neck. With the target reeling, he then placed the shield in front of him and charged it head on, knocking it to the floor.
"You generated enough PSI with that first blow to break the man's neck and possibly even inflict some skull trauma," Geoff said reading the meter, "and that second blow is going to break ribs and cause internal trauma. Your shield is definitely effective as both a defensive tool and a bludgeoning weapon."
"Our weapon is superior, it hacks, stabs and cuts all in one. " Terence countered.
The Roman Centurion answers the challenge with the dolabra.
"The dolabra was similar to a modern pickaxe," Terence explained, "It was primarily used as an entrenching tool by the Roman legions, but when necessary, it made a deadly improvised weapon."
"That's good cause for our test for you, we will have you attack a gel torso wearing viking chainmail." Geoff explains.
"Lead the way man." Terence says.
"Okay Terence, on 3...2...1... Go!"
Terence swings the Axe end at the helmet, leaving only a small dent. He then swings at the chainmail with the pick end, penetrating and spilling blood all over. He swings the pick into the chaiail once more, blood spilling more under the chainmail.
Dr Dorian walked over. " Wow, I'm surprised at the carnage, your shot to the helmet did not cause a skull fracture or daze him, but the first strike to the mail penetrated into his lung, severely injuring him and causing lots of bleeding. Then your last strike got into the heart. Instant kill.
Both special weapons have shown their capabilities of dishing out brutal trauma under different means, but where do our panelists stand?
"I'm going with the dolabra on this one," Geoff started out, "You have more options and one hit kills with each of those options."
"Yeah, plus it could definitely destroy the shield and in this case, hacking beats bludgeoning." Edge Dolabra." Dorian agreed.
"I wholeheartedly agree, edge Dolabra. " Mack concludes.
In special weapons, the Dolabra gets the edge.
Coming up, Mack will gauge the X-factors of each warrior and then after that, we finally have our battle to determine who is 'The Deadliest Warrior!'
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And now the time has come for Mack to gauge the x-factors of each warrior.
"Training is up first. The Centurion belonged to the most professional army of his days while the viking mainly plundered. He gets a 98 to the Viking's 81."
"Ferocity goes to the viking, even though we aren't talking about the " Berserkers" in this match, he was damn ferocious to his enemies, but it is razor thin with the Viking's 89 to the centurion's 88."
" Killer instinct is also factored in. The viking was a warrior who had no fear of dying on the battlefield, the centurion could become one. The viking is given a 100 to the centurion's 94."
"For physicality, this goes to the centurion for his professional military training which counters the viking's larger size, its still close though. The centurion has a 93 to the viking's 91."
"Lastly, we gave endurance, this was a tough one considering the Viking was constantly pillaging and the Centurion is professionally trained. We rated both men with a 92."
Our scientists and weapons experts are done testing the results and the time has come to decide who will be the victor. To ensure the battle won't be decided by a single lucky blow, the battle will be simulated one thousand times in a duel to the death.
Who will win a battle between two very different styles? The precision and coordination of the professionally trained Roman Centurion, or the violent assaults of the Viking?
"In the end, there can be only one. Let's find out," Mack said.
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The battle starts of near the coast of Italy. A lone centurion is walking along the shore when he sees something unfamiliar to him. Out in the ocean is a ship unlike any he had ever seen. He sees a single boat on the shore and inspects it. This isn't like anything he seen before. He sees footprints in the sand and follows them.
The foot prints lead into a rocky area with a path going through it. He bends down to check the foot prints with he hears foot steps behind him. He turns around and sees a rather tall man with long blond hear and a rather great beard. He assumes this is who came to shore in the boat. The centurion senses his empire is in danger and readys a Plumbata dart.
He flings it at the viking but he moves to the side and effortlessly dodged it. The viking responds by picking up a spear runs a bit before he flings the spear. The spear goes flying and the centurion blocked with his scutum, but the shield is penetrated. He goes to remove the spear.
When he finally removes it, he looks up only to find a Dane Axe being swung into his helmet. He lifts his scutum just in time to prevent the Axe from hitting him square in the face. But the impact it so great the shield cracks a little.
He responds by pushing the viking away and pushes him into the ground. With that, he draws a pilum and stabs at the viking but he takes out his own shield and blocks the pilum. The viking quickly reacted by taking his longsword and cuts the centurion's calf. The centurion grunts and drops his shield and retreats.
The viking gets up and runs after the centurion. The roman makes his way up the path in the rocky area and ends up in a small forested opening. He turns around and sees the viking had followed him. He with draws his dolabra and gladius and holds both protectively in front of him. The viking approaches with his shield held in front if him with longsword drawn.
The viking swings his shield aimed at the centurion's head, but the centurion ducks and attempts a stab with his gladius. The viking blocks just in time to prevent the roman from stabbing into his gut. With that, he charges into the centurion, the iron boss on his shield hits the centurion dead on into his chest. His armor protects him but the force was enough to knock him on his butt.
He gets up just in time to prevent the longsword from stabbing him in the face, knowing his empire is counting on him, he charges himself at the viking, but the viking charges himself as well and with his larger size, hits the centurion, he stumbles back and charges again, this time pushing the centurion into a tree. He swings his longsword and cuts off the centurion's arm off. The centurion falls onto his knees.
With the centurion armless and on his knees. The viking puts his shield onto his back, places his longsword on the roman's neck and slices his throat open.
The roman falls over dead. The viking then gives out a roar of victory.
XXXX
Winner: Viking
Viking: 541
Longsword: 194
Dane Axe: 196
Spear: 50
Shield: 101
Centurion: 459
Gladius: 200
Pilum: 133
Plumbata: 47
Dolabra: 79
In a fierce back and forth battle. The viking came out on top. His longsword and axe scoring most of his kills. The centurion put a quite a fight with his gladius being the deadliest weapon in the simulation, but it wasn't enough.
"The viking won because he was bigger, meaner and nastier. He could fight on his own or with other Vikings, the centurion was better suited for army on army battles with his legion, in a one on one fight, the Viking's brute strength was too much for him to handle." Geoff explained.
(The viking is seen near his boat, he throws his equipment into the boat, among these is the centurion's gladius and dolabra, both will be useful when he and his fellow warriors conquer and pillage this new land.)
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Next time on Deadliest Warrior, its a battle between two of Asia's well known fighters.
Ninja: The stealthy, silent death dealer from Japan
vs
Shaolin Monk: China's pacifist killing machine.
WHO...IS...DEADLIEST?!
That concludes chapter six! Here are some matchups I have planned out after Ninja vs Shaolin Monk.
Ming Warrior vs Ashigaru
Spartan vs Scottish Highlander
Mongol vs Hunnic Horseman
N.V.A. vs Wehrmacht
Russian Streltsy vs Swiss Guard
Genghis Khan vs Alexander the Great
Attila the Hun vs Hannibal
Ottoman Janissary vs Conquistador
I hope DAM and Zivon, and Harbingers of Nevec can help me with some of these matches. Until next time!