--- title: Bronze Figurine of a Female Athlete from the Roman Macedonia author: Nathalie Choubineh source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19346/bronze-figurine-of-a-female-athlete-from-the-roman/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 2024-08-26 --- # Bronze Figurine of a Female Athlete from the Roman Macedonia _Authored by [Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/)_ ## Image File [![Bronze Figurine of a Female Athlete from the Roman Macedonia](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19346.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19346.jpg) ## Image Caption [Bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) figurine of a female athlete, found in the archaeological site of Samoil's Fortress in Ohrid, North Macedonia, 2nd to 1st centuries BCE. NI Institute for Protection of Monuments of [Culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) and Museum of Ohrid. [Tsar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tsar/) Samoil's Fortress is a monumental fortification with sturdy stone walls and soaring towers up to 53 feet (16 m) high. The ramparts are spread across the [acropolis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Acropolis/) of Ohrid, the capital of the First Bulgarian [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/). Recent excavations have revealed the existence of an original castle built on the site in the 4th century BCE, linking its foundation with [Philip II of Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Philip_II_of_Macedon/). The current fortress, however, is the result of an extensive and presumably expansive renovation project under Tsar [Samuel](https://www.worldhistory.org/samuel/) of Bulgaria in the 11th century. Like many other parts of Ohrid, diggings in the site have brought a vast and variable range of artefacts to light. Finding bronze statues of the Greco-[Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) deities and persons provides invaluable links to the classical history of the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) in the [Hellenistic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenic_World/) Macedonian and then Roman eras. The bronze figurine of a female athlete, with her breasts tightly flattened in her *strophium*, is part of a retrieved hoard of often fragmentary bronze sculptures including [Hercules](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/), a mace, and various body parts of one or more horses. This assemblage implies that the Ohrid acropolis could once be home to major temples and sacred precincts, where the athletes would bring offerings to ask or thank for their victory. In fact, the Samoil's Fortress is not far from the city's ancient [theatre](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/theatre/), established in the 7th or 6th century BCE as a [Greek theatre](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Theatre/) but later converted by the conquering Romans to be used as an arena for [gladiator](https://www.worldhistory.org/gladiator/) fights. In a distinctive difference with the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) world, [women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/) at least in the late Republic and early [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/) had more chances to train and track their athletic prowess. Apart from footraces, acrobatic dances, and rhythmic gymnastics performed with different balls, they could be watched and applauded in gladiatorial combats. Related evidence can be found in ancient written and pictorial works, including a marble relief from [Halicarnassus](https://www.worldhistory.org/halicarnassus/), contemporary to the Ohrid bronze figurine, depicting two female gladiators, named [Amazon](https://www.worldhistory.org/amazon/) and Achillia, in the position of confrontation. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Nathalie is a translator and independent researcher of dance in the ancient world with a focus on Ancient Greece and the Near East. She has published works in ancient dance, ethnomusicology, and literature. She loves learning and sharing knowledge. - [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/nathalie.choubineh/) - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-choubineh-035a8451/) ## External Links - [Archaeological collection – NI Institute for protection of monuments of culture and museum – Ohrid](https://muzejohrid.mk/archaeological-collection/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Choubineh, N. (2024, August 26). Bronze Figurine of a Female Athlete from the Roman Macedonia. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Choubineh, Nathalie. "Bronze Figurine of a Female Athlete from the Roman Macedonia." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 26, 2024. . ### MLA Choubineh, Nathalie. "Bronze Figurine of a Female Athlete from the Roman Macedonia." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Aug 2024, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/ "User Page: Nathalie Choubineh"), published on 26 August 2024. 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