Dio’s passage does, however, tell us that women not only fought as gladiatrices, but also as venatoria – wild beast hunters. More importantly, he provides us with evidence that although some were forced to fight, some women did so voluntarily. His scandalised view of these autocrati is echoed by Tacitus in his Annals:
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“(Nero held) a number of gladiatorial shows, equal in magnificence to their predecessors, though more women of rank and senators disgraced themselves in the arena"
Both these accounts are dated around 62AD.
If Nero was an enthusiast, Domitian took the participation of the gladiatrix to new heights (and depths). Perhaps not as well known as his predecessor, Nero, Domitian was no less extravagant in his behaviour. He assumed the mantle of Emperor in 81AD, and was at first extremely popular with the common people – largely because he was a devotee of the games, and was renowned for holding extravagant exhibitions in the newly completed Colosseum.
“Domitian presented many extravagant entertainments in the Colosseum and the Circus. Besides the usual two-horse chariot races, he staged a couple of battles, one for infantry, the other for cavalry; a sea-fight in the amphitheatre; wild-beast hunts; gladiatorial shows by torchlight in which women as well as men took part.”