Were there any female gladiators?

[Incubus]

During the rule of emperors such as Nero and Caligula, the Gladitorial arenas of Rome continually outdid themselves in the extent of their spectacle. It seemed as though Romans had such high standards for such entertainment, that organizers were putting up crazy matches, like having 2 armless men fight to the death, or setting up unusual animal matches. With all this ‘spectacle’ I’m surprised there were no female gladiators, given the nature of this kind of entertainment.

[Q.E.D]

@Incubus

DWith all this ‘spectacle’ I’m surprised there were no female gladiators, given the nature of this kind of entertainment.

There were:

The rise of female professional sports is not a new phenomenon. Women once competed in the gladiatorial arena though not without controversy. It is known that the Roman emperor Septimius Severus, who ruled from 193 to 211 CE, allowed women to fight as gladiators but banned the tradition in 200 CE. Recently, the remains of a young woman, approximately 20 years old, were found in Britain. Discovered in a Roman cemetery in the area of London known as Southwark and excavated in 1996, archaeologists uncovered the remains of the young woman buried with several items that may identify her as a female gladiator.

[Q.E.D]

And more in-depth information here:

More often than not the Emperor Domitian is credited with the first use of female gladiators. Without doubt Domitian did use them, often having them fight against dwarves in elaborate shows for which he could embolden the Flavian hold as Rulers of Rome.

However, we can trace mention of females gladiators to a time prior to Domitian. Emperor Nero, under whom Domitian served, had a series of games arranged in 63AD, a full 18 years prior to Domitian taking the throne. At these games, according to Tacitus in Puteoli arranged by Patrobius, for Nero in honour of the visiting Tiridates, King of Armenian every sort of fighter fought, all Africans, and the event, included women.

[N9IWP]

Is the term term gladiatrix

1. Formerly used
2. Never used
3. Still used
4. Something else

?

Brian

[Eve]

@N9IWP

Is the term term gladiatrix

1. Formerly used
2. Never used
3. Still used
4. Something else

?

Brian

I think their friends just called them “Gladys.”

[astro]

@N9IWP

Is the term term gladiatrix

1. Formerly used
2. Never used
3. Still used
4. Something else

?

Brian

Here’s a page on Gladiatrix

A lot of them were apparently large breasted blondes and redheads.

In Ancient Rome, warrior women fought to the death for the pleasure of the Emperor and the mob.

Many were slaves, condemed to the arena by right of conquest; some were the autocrati, those who fought for fame and fortune.

They were the heroines of their day, at once revered and reviled by the multitudes that packed the Colleseum to sate their lust for blood.

This is their story…

[Exapno_Mapcase]

Be sure to click on the Factual picture on that last cite for a listing of books on the subject.

[Chairman_Pow]

@N9IWP

Is the term term gladiatrix…
Brian

I believe there’s a comic coming out soon called this.

[foolsguinea]

@astro

Here’s a page on Gladiatrix

That’s “Gladiatrices.” “Gladia-tricks” must be something else.

A lot of them were apparently large breasted blondes and redheads.

Well, of course. Nordic womens are superior!