Grand Hairy One

"The Sword of Tiberius" and Scabbard from Mainz, Germany dated to 15 BCE on display at the British Museum in London, England

This style of Roman sword, or Gladius, is called the Mainz style due to how common they are found in the Rhine in Mainz. It is considered the evolution of the Gladius Hispaniensis, an effect stabbing weapon. The wide blade would have made it an effect cutting weapon but accounts of Roman fighting techniques suggest the legionnaires led with the large shield, Scutum, and thrust with the sword.

This sowrd gets it's name from the decorations on the scabbard that depict victories of the then general Tiberius with the Emperor Augustus honouring him. This is thought to celebrate his campaigns against the Gallic peoples in the Alpines.

Crocodile-Skin Parade Armour from Manfalout, Egypt dated between the 3rd and 4th Centuries on display at the British Museum in London, England

The Roman conquest of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt influenced much of the Empire as the Egyptian goddess Isis became popular amongst Roman nobility. While under Roman rule, the Romans would incoroporate local cultures and identity into the civic ruling of the colony. This armour is an example of this as the crocodile was a sacred animal to many Egyptians. Because of this, Roman soldiers would wear crocodile skins for cult processions in Eqypt.

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.