EDGES
vs 
Weapons
Long Range:
Bow vs. Verutum
This edge is obvious to the point where it’s probably worth not going over, but I’ll touch on it anyway. The bow has a greater range, a greater rate of fire, and is wielded with more skill the Eques’ verutum. The only advantage the Verutum MIGHT have is causing more damage due to its metal head, and even this is very debatable considering how much more velocity the bow will have. Major edge for Apache.
Mid Range:
Apache Spear vs Hasta, Fascina
Another edge that should require little explanation. Either of the gladiator weapons alone outclass the apache spear, and combined it is an overwhelming advantage. The hasta has about the same reach as the Apache spear, and its metal point should cause a lot more damage than the Apache’s flint one. The Fascina, while a little shorter than the Apache spear, has three points instead of one, barbs, and is metal, which altogether creates a weapon devastating enough to make up for a couple inches of reach. When combined with the net, it’s no contest. Major edge gladiator
Short Range:
Tomahawk, War Club vs Gladius, Sica
Finally, a category where there is some debate to be had. Let’s start with the worst of the bunch, the war club. It’s not a bad club, but there is a reason man abandoned clubs for swords and axes thousands of years ago. The only way this weapon can score a kill is via a shot to the head, which will be almost impossible against the gladiator’s thick helmets. Even blows to the limbs will be severely hampered by the ocrea and manicae. The most vulnerable part of the gladiator is the torso, the one area of the body where the war club will struggle greatly to score effective hits. Basically, this matchup comes down to tomahawk vs the gladiator’s swords. Both swords have a bit of reach on the tomahawk in hand to hand, and can be used to stab and slash, as opposed to the strictly chopping tomahawk. They are also more likely to kill with any given hit due to their longer blades, and the apache will not be prepared for the sica’s ability to hook around their shield. The tomahawks biggest advantage is that it can be thrown, giving it much more effective range than the other two weapons. This is the only real advantage of the tomahawk though. The gladius and sica get the edge, because they have a better chance of a kill and are more versatile.
Special Weapons
Knife vs Spatha, Pugio
This is a difficult category, just because of the differences between the weapons. The knife is obviously a step up from the pugio. It is more versatile, is used with more skill, and is longer. A pretty solid advantage altogether. The spatha vs knife is trickier. The Spatha is obviously the superior hand to hand weapon, but the knife can be thrown and the Apache will be carrying a lot more of them. In the end, more for sheer volume than anything else, the Apache get a narrow edge in this category.
Armor
Head
Helmet vs nothing
Not much description needed here. The gladiator has something, the Apache doesn’t. The Apache may get a point or two for keeping their senses uninhibited, and the gladiator’s helmet will not get a perfect score because it impairs the senses so much, but this is a pretty solid edge for the gladiator.
Body
Leather shirt vs Balteus, Gorget
The average Apache is actually very slightly better off than the average gladiator here. Both the balteus and the leather shirt provide minimal resistance, but at least the Apache’s minimal resistance is covering his entire body. What tips this in the Gladiators favor is the gorget. While only one of them will be wearing it, the gorget is so vastly superior in terms of protection that it will still get the gladiators an edge, even though a much narrower one than they would probably like.
Arms
Nothing vs Manicae
Pretty self explanatory. Something is pretty significantly better than nothing. Edge gladiator
Legs
Breechcloths vs Ocrea, Fascia
Same as above. Gladiator takes it.
Shields
Animal Hide vs Scutum, Parma, Cavalry Shield
The buffalo hide shield of the Apache is light, and remarkably durable for something constructed out hide. With this in mind though, it is just behind the gladiator’s shields in terms of technology, plain and simple. Against just the parma and cavalry shield it may stand a chance, since it covers about the same area, is more mobile, and I don’t think durability will be a huge issue in a 5 on 5 fight. It doesn’t stand up to the scutum however. The scutum is going to render the Apache’s most effective weapon, the bow, almost useless from the front, and the Apache’s don’t really have a weapon that can get around the scutum in hand to hand combat. This gives the gladiators the edge.
Blocking
The Apache are pretty skilled in this area, mostly with the knife. Unfortunately, a 12 inch knife made of bone or stone will have a lot of trouble blocking any of the gladiator’s weapons. It could work against the sica and MAYBE the gladius, but it’s very limited. The gladiator’s swords, while rarely used to block, can do it pretty effectively if the warrior chooses to. The fascina and the net it’s used with will be by far the best blocking tool in the gladiators arsenal, trapping weapons in the tridents prongs and entangling weapons in the net. In the end, the gladiators get the edge, because while the Retiarius is the only one who really blocks much in practice, all the gladiators at least have the ability to, which I think is more than can be said for the Apache with their primitive knives.
Intangibles
Tactics
The Apache’s tactics were extremely successful throughout their history. They are designed to take advantage of their strengths (range and mobility) and only entering hand to hand combat when numbers are on their side will work greatly to their advantage, since one on one, hand to hand is where the gladiators are in the best position. As for the gladiators, their emphasize on closing in is a good thing, considering their weapons, and while it may work well for some of the more lightly armored gladiators, the more heavily armored ones like the Samnite and Provocator will have a lot of trouble chasing the Apache down. This tactic will be effective if it can be implemented, but it unfortunately will not be able to most of the time because of the Apache’s vastly superior mobility. Also, the gladiator’s habit of disabling an opponent rather than killing them will do nothing but hurt them in this fight. Sure, they may be pretty good at it, but the Apache are pretty good at actually killing. The Apache hit and run style and rapid strikes are well suited to their opponent, and while the gladiator’s tactic can be effective, it is much more limited and simplistic. Big edge Apache.
Teamwork/Cohesion
Straightforward. While Apache organization may not rival that of the Romans or Mongols, it’s proven pretty effective in the past, while the gladiators have no experience in group fighting. The Apache’s squad level organization is perfect for this kind of fight, and it nets them a sizable edge.
Morale
The gladiator and the Apache are both almost too varied in this department to judge. The gladiator was in many respects a prisoner, but there was a certain sense of pride and respect in what they did, and a few did volunteer because they loved to fight. The Apache on the other hand, had raids which they treated as commonplace as farming, and they had rarer warfare, which anyone with even a minimal knowledge of the Apache Wars knows entitles an incredible amount of persistence. In an average situation, the difference between an apache and a gladiator would actually be quite minimal, but even the most motivated gladiator probably can’t match an Apache at war, and because of that the Apache get the edge, albeit a narrow one.
Training
The Apache’s formal training is limited, while the majority of the gladiator’s time was devoted to training. The argument could be made that the Apache’s training was a little more practical, since it was largely hands on unlike the simulated fighting the gladiator practiced, but this is not enough to prevent he gladiator from getting the edge here.
Experience
While both warriors have had a good deal of experience, neither has really prepared them for their coming opponent in the slightest. The Apache has never faced an opponent with armor, metal, or swords. The gladiator has most likely never faced an opponent with the Apache’s hit and run tactics and emphasize on ranged warfare. The gladiators experience is also mostly in the amphitheatre, not a traditional battlefield. Both sides have shown a degree of adaptability in their history though, the Apache quickly adapting to the Spanish technology and tactics, and the gladiators surprising successes in the Third Servile War, where Spartacus led them in rebellion, showing a degree of adaptability as well. So if quality of experience is the same, pretty low, then one must look at amount, and here things become clearer. An average gladiator would be considered a veteran if he fought three years in the arena, while an Apache would be fighting his whole life. The Apache gets the edge, because they will possess veterans with more fighting experience than the gladiators can hope to match.
Physical Traits
Both the gladiator and the apache are about the same height, so there will be no major advantage there. The gladiator, due to his constant physical training, will probably be physically stronger and maybe slightly faster in a sprint, even though this will be more than offset by their armor. The apache’s biggest advantage will be their endurance, which is light years ahead of the gladiators. Because of the significant advantage in this area, and some of the gladiator’s advantages being neutralized by their armor, the Apache earn a narrow edge.
Mobility
No explanation needed. Apaches in a walk.
