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First of all I apoligize if this is in the wrong place and if this has been asked before. My question is would it be possible for a woman to disguise herself, join (For whatever reason) and serve in the legions as a fighter?
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Well, in the Principate I understand that recruitment started with a physical examination by a doctor. Granted, medical technology wasn't quite what we have today, but I'm guessing most doctors could tell a girl from a boy.
If she gets past that, first day after training, everyone hits the bathhouse. Naked. "There's something different about that new kid, can't quite put my finger on it, hmmm...."
Given that, it's no wonder the accounts of women fighting in the Roman army disguised as men are so few! Sorry about that!
Matthew
Matthew Amt (Quintus)
Legio XX, USA
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Okay well what about the army of the Dominate?
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The same applies I fear.
But Equal Opportunities legistlation certainly demands that women, well disguised as men, be allowed to take part in our public events.
John Conyard
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I guess only absolutely crazy women would have had the wish to join the Roman army.
--- Marcus F. ---
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IMHO, there is no possible way that a woman could disguise herself as a man in the tight confines of a 9' x 9' tent environment, and the public latrines, etc. Just wouldn't happen.
This has, of course, been discussed a number of times already.
In the modern reenactment world, some groups allow women to participate if they do the best they can at disguising themselves as men, some do not. It seems the majority of women don't want to kit up in 40 pounds of steel and wood and walk around in the sunny summer, and cold winter. Go figger. My speculation on that is that they're simply smarter than we.
M. Demetrius Abicio
(David Wills)
Saepe veritas est dura.
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Demtrius the seg only weighs around ten pounds
Dang! I could have an excellent book :evil: So your sure it wouldn't have happened during late roman times I mean whats one more goth who doesn't bathe?
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Could she have posed as a goth?
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What? Like this?
Christian K.
No reconstruendum => No reconstruction.
Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas.
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...
or more like this?
Christian K.
No reconstruendum => No reconstruction.
Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas.
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Your a mod and your trolling