Along with men, women were allowed to perform in the blood-drenched arenas of Ancient Rome from a certain point. This significant event took place at the gladiatorial battles timed to the day of the death of Julius Caesar's beloved daughter.
Choosing pseudonyms for themselves based on male names, such as Heraclius or Achilles, gladiatresses delighted the public with a combination of seductive femininity and fierce masculinity.
Erotic ammunition
Women gladiators, entering the arena, put on almost the same items of ammunition as men. The modest outfit of the warriors consisted of a short skirt, more like a loincloth, elbow pads and greaves. The only difference between the costumes of men and women was the helmets, which the girls did not wear out of a desire to show the audience their lovely hair and hairstyles.
The rules of gladiatorial fights did not provide for clothes to cover the chest, since the stronger sex did not need it.
Without hesitation, showing naked breasts to a large public, women gladiators delivered aesthetic and erotic pleasure to the Romans, famous for their depraved morals. Although at the dawn of gladiatorial fights with the participation of girls, it was decided to let them out for a duel not topless, but in a leather bandage that covered their chest, called a strophe.
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Slave Gladiatrix
Emperor Nero opened the way to the arena for slaves, from whose whim was created a detachment of gladiatrixes - Ethiopians, which included Syrians, Dagomeyki, Masai and other people from the hottest continent.
Arming them with short daggers, he ordered the captured African women to go out to battle with wild animals, and enjoyed the unequal bloody fight. The lucky women who managed to defeat the beast and stay alive were given freedom, but there were few of them, since the slaves for the most part did not undergo any training and did not possess self-defense skills.
Free Romans
It is noteworthy that the first female gladiators were not slaves captured in numerous military campaigns, but the free girls of Rome from the privileged classes.
Noble daughters of senators and wealthy townspeople of their own free will, not for money, but for the sake of entertainment, went into the arena and fought with a bow, hatchet, spear or sword in staged and real death battles.
There were so many willing to show their courage that in 11 A. D. e. a decree was issued establishing an age limit. Since then, only girls who have reached the age of twenty have received the right to confront an opponent within the amphitheater.
Blame or glory
The women gladiators who flattered their pride were the stars in the arena and at the same time the object of ridicule and shame in society.
The spectators of the Colosseum each time frantically applauded the courage, beauty and dexterity of half-naked gladiatresses, while outside its walls they were condemned and ranked among corrupt women and strippers.
The negative attitude of men towards women gladiators is evidenced by the works of ancient Roman satirists who loved to refer to this popular topic.
However, looking for fame, passion, independence and equality, gladiatresses did not pay attention to the other side of their fame and, asserting themselves, pleased the public.
Blacklisted Gladiatresses
Often women who were blacklisted brides by society were among the gladiatresses.
In ancient Rome, virtually all marriages were of convenience, which reduced the likelihood of a happy life. Cheating was a common occurrence, if the spouses put up with them, then they quietly coexisted under one roof, but if the husband did not forgive his wife for betrayal, their family broke up, and the woman no longer had the right to remarry.
Rejected by her husband and not accepted in her father's house, the lady saw recruiting into the number of gladiatresses, who were provided with shelter and food, as a solution to the problem.
For a snack
Usually, hot fights with the participation of female gladiators were held at the very end of the spectacles and were furnished with special fanfare. Emperor Domitian was known as an unusual esthete in this respect, at whose request frivolous night gladiatorial battles were arranged, when brave women fought with each other, with animals, and sometimes with men, only by the light of torches.
Another quirk of the same ruler was the shocking pitting of gladiatrices with dwarfs.
Fighting with greater passion, ferocity and grace than men, gladiatresses were an adornment not only of the Colosseum, but also of Roman orgies. Often, in addition to amphitheaters, they demonstrated fighting skills on the estates of noble patricians, who viewed them as accessible sexual objects.
Emperor Caligula more often than others organized spicy feasts, the highlight of which was a duel of completely naked gladiatresses armed with swords.
Gladiatrix show
Gladiatresses in the arena have always acted as participants in a variety of theatrical performances, since the meaning of the battle was not just a bloodthirsty murder, but a beautifully arranged murder.
The most popular were shows on historical, ethnic and erotic themes.
In historical performances, scenes from myths were most often played out, in ethnic "performances" gladiatresses-slaves from different countries fought with each other in elements of national costume.
Erotic battles were organized for a narrow circle of people, outside the walls of the amphitheaters.
Gladiatrix school
Gladiatrix aristocrats had the opportunity to undergo training under the guidance of personal trainers, while disenfranchised slaves learned the basics of fighting craft in the difficult conditions of specialized schools.
Exhausting training, which lasted from morning to evening, the girls carried out with heavy chains pinned to their ankles and blindfolded. Some of the exercises were performed on their knees, and during fencing, their right hand was fixed behind their backs, since the girls were intentionally taught to fight with the left, so that there were more chances to unsettle a right-handed opponent, although mixed fights with men were very rare.
At the first stage, fencing lessons were held with wooden swords and wicker shields, as skills improved, weapons and means of protection were changed from fake to real ones.
Codex gladiatrice
Gladiatresses followed the same code of honor as gladiators. Deciding to join the ranks of the fighters, they first took an oath, declaring themselves "legally dead person." Further, they agreed to remain silent in the arena, speaking to their partner exclusively with gestures. And most importantly, when realizing their own defeat, they did not have the right to shamefully flee from the lists, but should have preferred death to dishonor. Exhausted by falling to the ground, the gladiatrix was obliged to put her throat under the enemy's weapons or commit suicide.
Gerardesca Manutius
The first gladiatrix whose name was recorded in history was Gherardesca Manutius, who won over 200 battles. For 11 months she gave out enchanting fights, and when a nimble dwarf stuck a trident in her back, her body was torn to pieces and fed to predators.
Ashkhen Avanesova