Smith, Arthur H. [Editor]; British Museum <London> / Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities [Editor]: Catalogue of sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities (Band 2) (London, 1900)

SCULPTURES FROM HALICARNASSOS. 143

Fig. 6.—Female Gladiators. No. 1117.

1117. Belief with two female gladiators, armed, and advancing
to the attack, with swords and shields. The figure on
the left is clearly female, and that on the right is
probably female also, but the head is missing. They
stand on a sort of platform, and below at each side is
the head of a spectator. Inscribed 'A-jreXvdntrav and
'A/ja^aii', 'A-^iXXia. ''AireXvOrjaav is the equivalent of the
Latin Missi, or, in this case, missae, i.e., released from
service.

Female gladiators are mentioned in the first centuries
of the Eoman Empire (e.g. Tac, Ann. xv. 32 ; Sueton.,
Demit. 4). They were suppressed by Septimius Severus
(Dio, lxxv. 16).

From Halicarnassos. Presented by S.I.M. Abdul Medjid
to Viscount Stratford de Bedcliffe, and by him presented to
the British Museum, 184G.

Coarse-grained marble. Height, 2 feet 1£ inches; width, 2 feet
7 inches. Gr. Inscriptions in Brit. Mus., No. DCCCCXI.; C.I.G., 6855/.
Arch. Zcit., 1848, p. 2"2.