A Boxer, and A Fighter By Her Trade: Cleomachus, Tertullian de Pallio IV.4

Sed et qui ante Tirynthium accesserat, pugil Cleomachus, post Olympiae cum incredibili mutatu de masculo fluxisset, intra cutem caesus et ultra, inter Fullonesiam Nouianos coronandus meritoque mimographo Lentulo in Catinensibus commemoratus, utique sicut uestigia cestuum uiriis occupauit, ita et endromidis solocem aliqua multicia synthesi extrusit.

--Tertullian de Pallio IV.4

But there’s someone who surpasses the “Tirynthian” [Hercules*]: the boxer Cleomachus! After his masculinity underwent an unbelievable transformation at Olympia, (where he had his surgery) he was lauded in Novius’ Fullers’ Tale and memorialized in the mime Lentulus’ Catinians. He covered the scars of his gauntlets with bangles, and exchanged his athletic uniform for a dress.

TERTULLIAN

MAP:

Name:  Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus

Date:  2^nd century CE

Works:  Apologia

De Pallio

 

REGION  3

BIO:

Timeline:

 Tertullian was an early Christian theologian who lived in Carthage during the 2^nd century CE. He was a prolific author, and his works deeply influenced early Christian thought.

 AGE OF CONFLICT