Female Gladiators

Posted by Robin Fowler Oct 26, 2006

Roman society was certainly male-oriented. Men were brutes - tough on the battlefield and tough in the Arena. It would seem quite unlikely that women were allowed to participate in such a bloody and barbaric activity. However, there is evidence that women could have been gladiators, and that they were quite popular.

It is widely accepted by scholars that the Roman Emperor Domitian first allowed females gladiators (or gladiatrices) to enter the arena. Later, Emperor Septimius Severus ended the fun around A.D. 200.

The gladiatrix is depicted in classical relief sculpture (like one from Halicarnassus now housed at the British Museum), and now, there is archaeological evidence that suggests that they were, in fact, the real deal.

In September 2000, it was announced that a grave had been excavated in Southwark (south of London) by the Museum of London that was reported to be that of a gladiatrix. The grave contained several goods that suggested that it was a burial of a gladiator, including oil lamps, and several dishes decorated with gladiators and gladiator symbols. Though archaeologists insist that the evidence is speculative, it seems to offer proof that woman were indeed allowed to participate in the bloody sport of men.