A gladiatrix was a female gladiator who fought in ancient Rome. Gladiators were usually slaves, prisoners of war, or criminals who were trained to fight in arenas for the entertainment of the public. Some gladiators were volunteers who sought fame and fortune. Gladiatrixes were rare and controversial. Some Romans admired their courage and skill, while others disapproved of their violation of traditional gender roles and social norms. Some sources suggest that gladiatrixes were banned by Emperor Septimius Severus in 200 CE, but others indicate that they continued to appear in some shows until the end of the gladiatorial games in the 5th century CE.