Female reenactors as soldiers?

[John Conyard]

I think past discussions have highlighted the fact that the majority of male re-enactors are unfit, the wrong body shape and too old to portray Roman soldiers. That women are often the right size, fitter and have a better body shape. People have commented that female re-enactors should make efforts to look more like men, and that male re-enactors should try and look more like Roman soldiers.

In the cavalry photo above I’m wearing short hair and beard, fashionable a generation before the period I’m trying to portray. However the long hair of some riders is correct for 400 AD.

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However all of this is overshadowed by equal opportunities legislation. If a woman wants to portray a legionary she has every right, and should be helped and encouraged to put together a good impression. Just like any other new member, she should be treated with equality and fairness.

Single women do join Comitatus. As do single men and families of all ages.

That much is just common sense. But on a more controversial note I do wonder what we are sometimes trying to achieve. If we want to reconstruct military equipment and find out how it performs it doesn’t often matter who is using it, male or female. If we are trying to dress up to look and act as Roman soldiers, perhaps make up and acting classes would be appropriate.

I’m off to put on my mascara…….