A Boxer, and A Fighter By Her Trade: Cleomachus, Tertullian de Pallio 4.4

Cleomachus, a Boxer and a Fighter by Her Trade

Name: Tertullian Date:  155 – 220 CE Region:   Carthage [modern Tunisia] Citation:   On the Pallium 4.4

But there’s someone who surpasses the Hercules: the boxer Cleomachus! After their masculinity underwent an unbelievable transformation at Olympia, (where they had their surgery) they were lauded in Novius’ Fullers’ Tale and memorialized in the mime Lentulus’ Catinians. They covered the scars of their gauntlets with bangles, and exchanged their athletic jersey for a dress.

 

Cleomachus, a Boxer and a Fighter by Her Trade

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

Tertullian [Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus; 155 – 220 CE, modern Tunisia] was an early Christian theologian who lived in Carthage during the 2nd century CE. He was one of the most prolific authors of his age; more than thirty of his treatises are extant. These works shaped the core beliefs of the early Christian church. Although some of his beliefs were later deemed heretical, he was nevertheless granted sainthood for his profound impact on Christianity.