Women Gladiators

Female gladiators had the same rules as male gladiators. Most women did the same training as men. Some female gladiators were slaves and most of them were gladiators for money. They trained with wooden weapons, they also fought in arenas. Women only fought 2-3 times a year opposed to men who fought up to 35 times a year. Women only fought other females or midgets. But it was mostly arranged for the dwarf to win the fight. In Rome male and female gladiators were of the same concept. Women had the same chance to become a gladiator, they were able to go on the battle field/arena. But It wasn't common for women to be a gladiator. 


Female Gladiators wore clothed and equipment similar to a male gladiator. They were armed with short swords and a shield. Women also fought topless, wore loin cloth, greeves and arm protectors, they also didn't wear a helmet.

Gladiators

Gladiators are one of the most spirited fighters known to man. Many were famous for their bravery and strength. Your fame was based on your ability to fight, Gladiators who won fights against other powerful rivals were the most well known. I thought i would research some of the most well known Gladiators in accident Rome and their methods to help characterise Tomora. 

Fighting Styles

• The equites, meaning 'horsemen', they entered the arena on horseback, although for the crucial stage of the combat they dismounted to fight on foot.
• The murmillo had a large, oblong shield that covered his body from shoulder to calf; it afforded stout protection
• The most vulnerable of all gladiators was the net-fighter (retiarius), who had only a shoulder-guard (galerus) on his left arm to protect him. Being relatively unencumbered, however, he could move nimbly to inflict a blow from his trident at relatively long range, cast his net over his opponent, and then close in with his short dagger for the face-off.

Eventually fighting-styles became stereotyped and formalised, a gladiator might be trained in an 'ethnic' style quite different from his actual place of origin.The gladiators would take on a style depending on their background, strength and preference.

Training

Gladiators trained like true athletes, much like professional athletes do today. They received medical attention and three meals a day. Their training included learning how to use various weapons, including the war chain, net, trident, dagger, and lasso.

Each gladiator was allowed to fight in the armor and with the weapons that best suited him no matter what he chose it was his choice. They wore armor, though not Roman military armor, this would send the wrong political signal to the populous of Roman. Instead gladiators wore the armor and used the weaponry of non-Roman people, playing the role of Rome's enemies

ff by reaching the peak of the fitness, it rarely required them to use real swords up until much later when the trainers felt they were able so no one would be harmed. They would primarily use the rudus - the wooden sword - for training. A rudus was also given to a successful gladiator in the arena. In this context, the rudus is given as a symbol of freedom.

(infomation soruced from 'A closer look at Gladiators')

Tetraites
Knowlage of this fighter came when historians found grafiti about him in the ruins of Pompeii.

Tetraites was documented as a spirited fighter especially during his fight against Prudes in Pompeii. Tetraites fought with basic armour including a sword and shield. He won many fights, the news even travelled as far as France and England. His shear bravery and violent manor gave him his name. 



Flamma
Originally a slave from Syria with a fight record that looked like boxing statistics. Flamma fought around 34 times and won 21 of these battles. Flamma was offered freedom from fighting and slavery four times but denied in order to keep fighting in the arena. Flamma was determined to fight until the death.

Crixus
Originally from Gaul (France) this gladiator was part of the slave army that rebelled against the Roman empire during the third Servile war. He was nicknamed "the undefeated Gaul" he fought against the famous Spartacus and his actions in battle were enough that Spartacus sacrificed 300 captives in this name.

Roman Soldiers

Soldiers moved from one place to another by marching. Life for soldiers on the move was very hard. At the end of a day's march they had to build a camp.

Each soldier carried a his kit (equipment on a pole. He had spare clothes, food rations, a cooking pot, a short spade, a handmill for grinding corn and two wooden stakes to help build a protective fence (palisade).

This has inspired me to create some sort of backpack or pouch which Tomora carries around with her everywhere she goes. 

I wold imagine it would contain a knife, some water or alcohol, tape, string and anything that could be used to harm or repair etc.

Weapons

The Contos

A long, wooden cavalry lance which was 4—5m (13.l—16.4ft) in length, the contos derived its name from the Greek word kontos, or “oar”, which probably gives some indication as to the length of the lance. It took two hands to wield, so the horseman had to grip his mount by the knees. To be able to do this effectively would have taken considerable strength and training.

Freedom fighters

Deborah Sampson

Born on December 1, 1760 in Plymton, Massachusetts, near Plymouth. Came from a poor family background.

During the Revolutionary War Deborah Sampson wanted to fight yet they did not allow girls to join the army at this time. After venturing out undetected in her disguise, she resolved to enlist, which she did in the spring of 1781. In May she arrived at the fortifications at West Point, New York, on the west bank of the Hudson River, where she was detached to Captain George Webb’s Company of Light Infantry and issued a uniform and accoutrements.

Deborah endured the incessant cannonade from the enemy, got blisters digging trenches, and was part of a detachment that stormed a British redoubt. 

For over two years, Deborah’s true sex had escaped detection. She had had close calls with both discovery and death: fainting on that first march to West Point, lying that she had had smallpox when the soldiers were culled for vaccination in the winter of 1782, receiving a revealing wound in June of 1781, and nearly drowning in the Croton River in December of that year. 

The committee concluded that the history of the Revolution “furnished no other similar example of female heroism, fidelity and courage”

Deborah Sampson's courage has inspired me and my ideas for my character Tomora. Deborah wasn't afraid to stand up and fight for what she believed in despite being a female. She chose to take the risk and not let anyone stop her. Tomora is similar and Deborah's story has inspired me to think about Tomora having clever and smart tactics.

(information sourced from the National Women's history museum website)

The Road research

I looked at the film road as some costume inspiration. Their costumes are exactly the type of clothing you would be wearing after the world had died. This clothing is pure survival clothing as it is thick, heavy, dirty and durable. If you were living in this time you would be determined to use everything you have to keep you warm. Looking at this film has me realise the daily struggles in a more real way, i thought about how tough it would be to find food and shelter everyday and how to protect another family member or friend.

Costume Research

From looking at these art works of post apocalyptic outfits has given me some inspiration for our costumes. I can see how each outfit has multiple layers, i think using lots of layers and bulking yourself out is practically what you would have to do to keep you warm at night and make sure your body is sheltered and cushioned from harm.

I also have seen that straps and harshnesses are used to keep different items in. I can see Tomora having some straps or a harness where she may keep her prized possession like a knife or gun. Army greens, browns, off whites are the main colours from my research. In addition using other materials to patch your clothes or create a head scarf alongside fingerless cloves are often used. The clothing has a very army like theme, i think this could have an influence but also don't think each tribe should look ex army as this may change the audiences perception on who the tribes are.