08-30-2007, 12:33 PM
Hi there
Uwe's questions about the gladiators in the relief being female are well founded.
The figures use common techniques for depicting women in relief work, shoulders more selder than hips, narrow calves and knees drawn together rather than apart (I am told that these are common techniques).
however, among many standing, defeated gladiators we see similar techniques, possibly to 'unman' the defeated gladiators in the sculpture. So it may be that the sculptur was merely showing the 'unmanliness' (if there is such a word) of the defeated gladiator. I guess this will always remain in the 'we'll never know' pile?
Many thanks
Uwe's questions about the gladiators in the relief being female are well founded.
The figures use common techniques for depicting women in relief work, shoulders more selder than hips, narrow calves and knees drawn together rather than apart (I am told that these are common techniques).
however, among many standing, defeated gladiators we see similar techniques, possibly to 'unman' the defeated gladiators in the sculpture. So it may be that the sculptur was merely showing the 'unmanliness' (if there is such a word) of the defeated gladiator. I guess this will always remain in the 'we'll never know' pile?
Many thanks
