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To: nickcarraway
Fascinating post; thanks!!

Two adult women were burnt with both horses and military equipment on their pyres. Though numerii are generally referred to as irregular units, they are not normally thought of as having women amongst their ranks. However, the unit came from the area where the ancient Greeks placed the origin of the female warriors called Amazons. Could numerii be even more irregular than anyone has ever dreamed?

This strikes me as truly odd, and off the top of my head, I can't think of any explanation other than the women being fighters of some kind. Wives of commanders, for instance, would probably be buried with wealth such as fancy jewelry, but both horses and military equipment? Probably not. And if indeed the women were warriors, one must assume they were regarded as competent by their fellows. I really can't imagine them worrying about being "PC" in that time and place!

4 posted on 04/29/2005 11:38:33 AM PDT by Hetty_Fauxvert (http://sonoma-moderate.blogspot.com/)
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To: Hetty_Fauxvert

" I can't think of any explanation other than the women being fighters of some kind."


That's exactly what they were. Amongst the Gauls and Germanic tribes, women often went into battle with the men, usually behind the main battle lines and screaming loudly. Head Hunting Maidens, screaming women - early AD battles must've been quite interesting to behold!


6 posted on 04/29/2005 12:12:47 PM PDT by Blzbba (Let them hate us as long as they fear us - Caligula)
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