3D Printed Gladiators from Wargames Atlantic

[Rick]

Actually the one image we have that unequivocally shows female gladiators seems to show them bare-chested, although the image itself is in poor condition. The one image we have of women in the breastband (the so-called 'bikini girls' mosaic) shows women involved in athletics or gymnastics, not gladiatorial combat and not bathing. Other images may or may not show female gladiators - some may be female ludus employees or slaves; they have been interpreted as both gladiatrices and not at various times! Interestingly the only written account that mentions anything on the subject describes a female bestiarius or venatore (iirc) with one covered and one uncovered breast.
Unless more images are found that clearly show identifiable female gladiators then either covered or uncovered would be historically accurate.

[anevilgiraffe]

reading that post, the look on your avatar image took on a different expression...

[Rick]

Somewhat awkward juxtaposition I'll grant you. Oops.

[gregmita]

You might be thinking of this one, the Halicarnassus carving, which doesn't show too much. Note though that the names are "Amazon" and "Achillia", which probably means that this was a recreaction/performance (with two women) of the single combat between Achilles and Penthesilea.
Also note that the word "gladiatrix" didn't exist in actual ancient Roman sources.

Actually the one image we have that unequivocally shows female gladiators seems to show them bare-chested, although the image itself is in poor condition. The one image we have of women in the breastband (the so-called 'bikini girls' mosaic) shows women involved in athletics or gymnastics, not gladiatorial combat and not bathing. Other images may or may not show female gladiators - some may be female ludus employees or slaves; they have been interpreted as both gladiatrices and not at various times! Interestingly the only written account that mentions anything on the subject describes a female bestiarius or venatore (iirc) with one covered and one uncovered breast.
Unless more images are found that clearly show identifiable female gladiators then either covered or uncovered would be historically accurate.

[Rick]

Yes you're right, that's the very image I was referring to; as I said, it's not in the best of conditions but from what archaeologists who've actually examined it have said, there appears to be no indications of chest covering. I don't completely dismiss the unsupported hypothesis that these two were reenacting the Achilles/Penthesilia myth but, given that we can't even identify what type of gladiators they were beyond the obvious scutarii, it seems premature to assume their names had significance together, beyond being a typical type of stage name that a gladiator might use.
I also take your point about 'gladiatrix' although I would point out that the more technically accurate 'ludia' or 'mulieres' are less well known and might require more explanation.

[cadbren]

They probably don't have a type as it could've been an exhibition fight. The word at the top says they were released afterward so maybe it was a public announcement of sorts that these women who'd recently been seen in the arena weren't being put into normal gladiatorial duties. The two women are bareheaded to show their faces and the one of the left has a fashionable style for Roman women at the time. She also appears to be armed with a dagger, perhaps to avoid the audience seeing one of the fighters having a limb hacked off.

[Rick]

That conclusion seems like a bit of a stretch to me. From every account that mentions female gladiators they seem to have been organised and fought exactly like the male gladiators - even to the absolute seriousness that the spectators and fighters treated the bout. Yes, I agree that the inscription indicates that both fighters were released but my interpretation is that they earned it - they fought each other to the point of exhaustion and, presumably, were rewarded for their bravery and skill. Also lets not forget that, although they were on the lowest rung of plebiean status (along with actors and prostitutes), these were professional entertainers/performers and, just like with the men, looking attractive was a big part of the job. I see nothing that would indicate these were anything other than professional gladiators in a serious fight.