Grand Hairy One

Marble Carving from Bodrum, Turkey dated between the 1st and 2nd Centuries CE on display at the British Museum in London, England

This marble carving commemorates the honoruable release from service (Missio) of two women fighters, "Amazon" (named after the fierce women warriors) and "Achilia" (a feminine version of the name Achilles). They are shown with the same equipment as their male counterparts, swords and shields, but without helmets, perhaps to emphasise the hairstyles. The scene, together with the inscription "APELUTHESAN", (They were freed) indicates they won their freedom. This would have been after a series of outstanding and violent perfrmances. The heads of spectators of their fight can be seen on either side of the platform they are standing on.

According to several contemporary eyewitnesses, women often fought as gladiators in Roman arenas. According to the biographer Suetonius, the Emperor Domitian (81 - 96 CE) forced women to fight by torchlight at night.

Marble Dedication from Melos, Greece dated between 100 - 200 CE on display at the British Museum in London, England

This dedication was made to Asclepius and Hygieia by someone called Tyche for the cure of an affliction of the left leg. Asclepius and Hygieia were the Greek gods of medicine, health and cleanliness worshipped at the shrine of Asklepios in Melos. The island of Melos became part of the Roman Empire during this time after the defeat of Macedonian forces. The Roman empire would have incorporated the local beliefs into their empire and so practices like this would have continued.