The Eyes in the Mist

Cloister of the monastery built into the ruins of the ancient Baths of Diocletian, now home to a national museum.

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.

My mom is in the ICU and we’ve only raised $1 out of $600 for her weekly medical bills. We only have 3 days left until the deadline and we have absolutely nothing.