Essay On Women's Participation In Greek Sports

Ancient athletics were not exactly welcoming to women participants, but there are a few text sources and artistic evidence that a few instances did occur, and were even encouraged. It is evident that women not only did not participate in the Olympic sports, but they were banned from even spectating. This was due to the fact that men competed in the nude as a religious ceremony to honor Zeus, and in history there is a common theme of women not being allowed in order so that it goes well (think how pirates never wanted women on their ships). Even with that stopping them, women found ways to get involved in the ancient athletics in other ways unique to them. Though married women in antiquity were banned from spectating at certain men’s sporting events due to the lack of clothing worn by athletes, there were several opportunities for women to be involved in games themselves, as chariot owners, gladiatrixes, and participants in the Heraean Games.

Ancient sources like Pausanias tell us that on a few rare occasions the winners of chariot races were indeed women. Of course, the women were …show more content…
There is great evidence for two specific fighters who were honored on a plaque for being extremely talented fighters and equal opponents that were allowed to live onto the next match. Achilla and Amazon, as the plaque names them, were probably slaves like their male counterparts, made to fight for the entertainment of the Romans. However, there is also proof that emperors Nero and Domitian enjoyed watching the gladiatrixes, and women may have fought for nearly 100 years! While the women in the plaque are not represented as in the nude, it is believed that some gladiatrixes were made to be naked for the enjoyment of the male spectators, no doubt, but were still well respected. A gravesite found near London demonstrates just how well thought-of a popular gladiatrix could