Women in the Roman Army

[Epictetus]

I think it must have been extremely unusual. For instance, take Plutarch’s Life of Marius, where the normal role of women is discussed.

… indignant speeches of his soldiers reached the ears of Marius. "What cowardice, pray, has Marius discovered in us that he keeps out of battle like women under lock and key? Come, let us act like freemen…

Plutarch. Marius, 16.3-4

Contrast this with the remarkable (to Plutarch) barbarian women:

Most of the Ambrones were cut down there in the stream where they were all crowded together, and the river was filled with their blood and their dead bodies; the rest, after the Romans had crossed, did not dare to face about, and the Romans kept slaying them until they came in their flight to their camp and wagons. Here the women met them, swords and axes in their hands, and with hideous shrieks of rage tried to drive back fugitives and pursuers alike, the fugitives as traitors, and the pursuers as foes; they mixed themselves up with the combatants, with bare hands tore away the shields of the Romans or grasped their swords, and endured wounds and mutilations, their fierce spirits unvanquished to the end.

Plutarch. Marius 19.6-7