Did Lanistae have any influence on gladiatorial combat styles?

Yes, lanistae, the trainers and managers of gladiators, significantly influenced combat styles. They tailored training regimens to enhance specific skills, emphasizing techniques suited to individual gladiators' strengths and weaknesses. This led to the development of distinct fighting styles, such as the heavily armored murmillo or the agile retiarius, reflecting both the lanistae's expertise and the preferences of the audience.