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Can anyone help, please?
#1
Hi, I have written a novel about a gladiatrix, and, after waiting a year for my agent to get round to looking for a publisher, decided to put it onto Kindle myself. I have several other titles on Kindle, one of which is free for the next couple of days, if you're curious. (Death in Spigg's Wood by Linda Gruchy, free on Amazon until 29th Sept 12... sorry Mods if this is spamming, I just want people to know I'm serious.)

With my other novels I have used my own photographs, but there aren't many retiarii strolling around Essex nowadays, especially not gladiatrices.

I thought (gulp) I have to buy a stock photo, but there aren't many images and frankly, those I have found are just plain wrong porno type pictures, or technically rubbish, though one was very good, it just isn't right for the novel the photo was not a retiarius, not even close.

So I wondered if any of you could help, please? My heroine wears a sleeve, manica, galerus, strophium, the loincloth (I can never spell it) and has the usual trident, dagger and net. The sleeve etc is on the left arm in my story. And she's a Trinovante.

I would need to manipulate the photograph to add title etc, and I might also print this particular book via a POD publisher.

Action shots, particularly against a secutor, would be great.

Alternatively, a photo of a sector helmet, or murmillo helmet might do.

Indie publishing isn't terribly lucrative (most writing isn't lucrative) so my budget for a photo would be quite small.

I'm tearing my hair out a bit here. I can't say exactly what I do want, but I'll know it when I see it.

Thanks
Linda Priestley AKA Linda Gruchy
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#2
Failing the above, could I buy the rights to use a photograph of a secutor or Murmillo helmet on my book cover, please? I can't afford a huge fee, but I need something for my Kindle cover. Can anyone help, please?

I can't just grab something off the internet because of copyright issues.

Where does one get helmets from? Do people make them themselves? I expect they're very expensive.
Linda Priestley AKA Linda Gruchy
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#3
Yuu might try Marc Sanders he is in the middle of filming a Gladiator movie. (Cross promotion possible perhaps)
John Kaler MSG, USA Retired
Member Legio V (Tenn, USA)
Staff Member Ludus Militus https://www.facebook.com/groups/671041919589478/
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#4
Thanks for people's help with this. An artist is doing a painting for my cover. I'm hoping to get the e-book version out soon.
Linda Priestley AKA Linda Gruchy
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#5
Hello Linda

Just seen your post as I have been very busy recently.

there aren't many retiarii strolling around Essex nowadays, especially not gladiatrices.

Actually there are. Dan Shadrake's group Britannia are based in Billericay. They would have been pleased to help out.

If you need other Roman illustrations in future you could also have a look at my website gsillustrator.co.uk

Graham.
"Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream" Edgar Allan Poe.

"Every brush-stroke is torn from my body" The Rebel, Tony Hancock.

"..I sweated in that damn dirty armor....TWENTY YEARS!', Charlton Heston, The Warlord.
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#6
Thanks Graham, I had actually been in touch with Dan Shadrake, and he has been very helpful. Their gladiatrix photos weren't quite right for me, alas.

The artist who is doing my cover is very excited about it.

I'm putting a list of interesting websites at the end of the novel. Would you like me to add yours?
Linda Priestley AKA Linda Gruchy
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#7
Hello Linda

I would be grateful if you could add my link. Thanks.

Have you been in contact with Svenja G (Medusa) on this Forum? She recreates a Gladiatrix and has done lots of research into the topic as well as recreating the kit.

Graham.
"Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream" Edgar Allan Poe.

"Every brush-stroke is torn from my body" The Rebel, Tony Hancock.

"..I sweated in that damn dirty armor....TWENTY YEARS!', Charlton Heston, The Warlord.
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#8
No, I haven't, thanks Graham, and it's a bit late now as the novel is written. I will add your link into my "Interesting links" part.

My gladiatrix is a retiarius, which is a bit unusual for females, but hey, it's a novel.
Linda Priestley AKA Linda Gruchy
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#9
Familia Gladiatora,
http://www.familia-gladiatoria-pannonica...set-12.htm
has a Retiraria, as pictured by J. Marechal at the Nijmegen festivan 2012
http://www.pixures.be/web2012nijmegen/index.htm
You could ask them if you can use their pictures or even have send them to you.
succes,
AgrimensorLVCIVS FLAVIVS SINISTER
aka Jos Cremers
member of CORBVLO
ESTE NIX PAX CRISTE NIX
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#10
Quote:Hello Linda

I would be grateful if you could add my link. Thanks.

Have you been in contact with Svenja G (Medusa) on this Forum? She recreates a Gladiatrix and has done lots of research into the topic as well as recreating the kit.

Graham.

Thanks Graham for suggesting me :oops:

Anyhow, the provocatrix is seen on the relief. But inscriptions mention e.g. an essedaria. So scholars assume that gladiatrices fought in all classes of gladiators so a retiaria against a secutrix would be possible.
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#11
Thanks for your helpful replies, I have commissioned an artist to do a painting for a cover for me and that should be ready soon.

One problem I may have with the manuscript though, is I have used masculine terms throughout (apart from gladiatrix). I don't know any better as I never did Latin at school. Is Retiaria the feminine form of retiarius, please?

What about Hoplomachus... does that have a feminine form, please? It's something that hadn't occurred to me, but it's not too late to change this in the manuscript, though it will be a pain. But as necessary pain if I have it wrong.
Linda Priestley AKA Linda Gruchy
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#12
That link and those photographs are really interesting to look at, thanks, but now that I have an artist doing the cover picture, I won't need to use those. It looks like people had a lot to fun at that festival.
Linda Priestley AKA Linda Gruchy
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#13
Yes, the female version for retiarius would be retiaria. With hoplomachus I'm not too sure if it would be hoplomacha since hoplomachus is derived from a Greek word so I don't know how much it would be considered as a regular word with regular forming of female forms etc.

We have had the discussion with murmillo and thraex which both would stay the same even in a female version. I a Latin text you could identify the gender if the noun would be in such a case together with an adjective.
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#14
You are a star, thank you so much. I shall look through the ms and change where appropriate. Thank goodness for the "find" facility in Word.
Linda Priestley AKA Linda Gruchy
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#15
Hello Linda,

Although fresh Fodder, I can create for you any character (in Roman way) you need.

The Gladiatrix as a figure is known, but as far as I know, there were only a few.

Nevertheless, if you give me a description of cloth and armour - also which style - I may be able to create something.

The figure I attached is pure fantasy, but I have sufficient material to create what you might require.


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