Mercenary Spear Gladiatrices (Daughters of Mars only)

Recruitment Cost 380
Upkeep Cost 260
Melee Attack 40
Weapon Damage 29
Bonus vs. Large 20
Charge Bonus 20
Melee Defence 70
Armour 40
Health 55
Base Morale 60
Strengths & Weaknesses
  • Good defensive unit
  • Low damage but average armour penetration
  • Average attack
  • Normal morale
Description

There are no documented examples of female gladiators prior to Nero’s rule, but they are hinted at; in AD19, Tiberius passed the Larinum Decree, specifically forbidding daughters of those in high office from becoming gladiators. From Nero’s until the rule of Septimus Severus, who banned the practice outright, female gladiatorial contests became a regular feature of the circuses. Their existence wasn’t restricted to the Italian peninsula either; the Credenhill dig at Herefordshire in the United Kingdom unearthed a female skeleton bearing bone formation consistent with gladiatorial training. Gladiatrices were armed and armoured as their male counterparts: with swords or spears, shields, and if they could afford them, galea helmets and manica arm-guards.