Gladiatrices

Though uncommon, women were also found fighting in the arena!  One can find references in the Satyricon and by Nero to the presence of women gladiators, also known as gladiatrices.  As far as images go, let's do a quick then-and-now comparison:

For the ancient image, I'm not entirely sure how scholars were able to distinguish the figures as women.  I would concede that there might be a slight indication that hair is pulled back but most of the rest of radiates, at least in my opinion, standard masculinity.  Neither clothing nor overall build appears feminine and body stance is aggressive (though the aggression and clothing have necessary applications to the profession).

For the modern image, pulled from a Marvel comic, I would argue that, without the painted lips and presence of breasts (indicated by the low-cut shirt), this could easily be an animated man.  From the toned body to the mohawk hair cut to the broad, strong shoulders and even the dialogue--"NNH...GET MOVING, WOMAN!  GO!"--are more typically associated with men than women.

These images suggest that a sexual stereotype from the ancient world has permeated the modern world:  that of a woman who tries to assume not only the traditional male societal role (including job and sexual habits) but also the distinguishing physical characteristics of the masculine sex and gender.  How strange that, in a world where the concept of sexual orientation had not yet formed, one can still find the embodiment of what might today be referred to as the classic "butch" lesbian.

According to the Online Companion to the world of ancient women, the inscription beneath the ancient gladiatrices relief is, "an inscription in Greek commemorating their honorable release from the arena; at the bottom, their names: Amazon and Achillia."  Further investigation indicated that they both survived and were deemed to have "won" the battle.

I will need better sources to confirm this bias but a quick search indicates that gladiatrices were, overall, not well-received.  This is a translation of  Satire VI of Juvenal:

Who has not seen the dummies of wood they slash at and batter

Whether with swords or with spears, going through all the manoeuvres?

These are the girls who blast on the trumpets in honour of Flora.

Or, it may be they have deeper designs, and are really preparing

For the arena itself. How can a woman be decent

Sticking her head in a helmet, denying the sex she was born with?

Manly feats they adore, but they wouldn’t want to be men,

Poor weak things (they think), how little they really enjoy it!

What a great honour it is for a husband to see, at an auction

Where his wife’s effects are up for sale, belts, shin-guards,

Arm-protectors and plumes!

Hear her grunt and groan as she works at it, parrying, thrusting;

See her neck bent down under the weight of her helmet.

Look at the rolls of bandage and tape, so her legs look like tree-trunks,

Then have a laugh for yourself, after the practice is over,

Armour and weapons put down, and she squats as she used the vessel.

Ah, degenerate girls from the line of our praetors and consuls,

Tell us, whom have you seen got up in any such fashion,

Panting and sweating like this? No gladiator’s wench,

No tough strip-tease broad would ever so much as attempt it.

~Kelly