The Gladiatrix (Female Gladiator)
Gladiatrix (pl. gladiatrices) were an exotic novelty in the Roman arena, but the historical sources are scant. In the early empire Augustus forbade recruiting noble and free women as gladiators. In 66 AD, Nero had Ethiopian women fight at a munus ("gift", "tribute") to impress King Tiridates of Armenia. Juvenal writes of "Mevia, hunting boars in the arena with spear in hand and breasts exposed." Petronius writes of a woman fighting from a chariot. A munus of 89 AD, during Domitian's reign, featured a battle between female gladiators and dwarfs. A relief from Halicarnassus depicts two female combatants "Amazon" and "Achillia"; their match ended in a draw. Female gladiators probably submitted to the same regulations and training as their male counterparts. The Emperor Septimus Severus banned single combat by women in the arena. For more information on gladiatrices and how they are represented in our club see the Gladiatrix Kit Guide.
In London archaeologist Hedley Swain is the head of the Museum of London's early history department, where he is the conservator of the ashes and bone fragments dubbed Gladiator Girl by the British press. Unearthed from one of the most ancient addresses in Roman London, this 1,900-year-old woman has yet to reveal many secrets. But Swain thinks she was a former slave turned wealthy female gladiator. She was found in a wealthy Roman's grave situated on the periphery of the cemetery. The mourners left remains of a costly funerary feast and arranged a trove of lamps and large tazze, or incense burners. Osteologist Bill White concluded that the body belonged to a young woman in her twenties. She was buried with
symbols of her profession, including the pinecones and the image of a gladiator. Swain concedes that the enigmatic grave on Great Dover Street is open to other interpretations, But he also points out that the female-gladiator argument is built on the sum of the evidence, which is greater than the individual pieces. Discover, "Gladiatrix", December 2001
Click the images for fullsize view
In London archaeologist Hedley Swain is the head of the Museum of London's early history department, where he is the conservator of the ashes and bone fragments dubbed Gladiator Girl by the British press. Unearthed from one of the most ancient addresses in Roman London, this 1,900-year-old woman has yet to reveal many secrets. But Swain thinks she was a former slave turned wealthy female gladiator. She was found in a wealthy Roman's grave situated on the periphery of the cemetery. The mourners left remains of a costly funerary feast and arranged a trove of lamps and large tazze, or incense burners. Osteologist Bill White concluded that the body belonged to a young woman in her twenties. She was buried with
symbols of her profession, including the pinecones and the image of a gladiator. Swain concedes that the enigmatic grave on Great Dover Street is open to other interpretations, But he also points out that the female-gladiator argument is built on the sum of the evidence, which is greater than the individual pieces. Discover, "Gladiatrix", December 2001
Click the images for fullsize view
Amazonia vs Achillia in the gladatorial games of ancient Londinium Britannia, sponsored by the Museum London in July 2011.
Victorious Gladiatrix deats Gallo Gladiator in gladiatorial bout in Italy 2010
Two gladiatrices, Amazonia and Achillia battle at Natali Di Roma, 21 April 2013
