August 4, 2018
Decorative painting of the human body has long been used in many cultures since ancient times. Tattooing, as one of the methods of applying an indelible design, was a kind of identification of a person, belonging to one or another social group, and was also used in some initiation rites. Many historians note that this was a fairly common custom among various barbarian peoples. However, Roman tattoos have their own history.
The earliest evidence of tattooing in Europe was discovered in the area of the modern Austro-Italian border, in the Etzal Alps, where in 1991 the well-preserved mummy of a man who lived more than 3,000 years ago and was nicknamed “Otzi” was found. Known as the "Similun Man" or "Tyrolean Ice Man", the remains of his body were inscribed with approximately 60 designs of parallel lines, dots and crosses.
As you know, Marcus Tulius Cicero (106-43 BC), an ancient Roman philosopher and orator, said: “Graecia capta ferum victorem cepit”, that is, “Defeated Greece conquered the victor.” He meant that having conquered the territory of Greece, the Romans were strongly influenced by ancient Greek culture, becoming, in turn, defeated. The phrase he said largely explains the almost identical vision of beauty in the Roman and Greek worlds. Tattoo is no exception, which, like some other cultural values, came to Rome from Greece.
This is interesting!
The Roman tattoo was called "stigma". Its application, as in Ancient Greece, was intended for various types of criminals and slaves in order to mark them as such. According to the ancient Roman chronicler Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD), slaves were usually branded with the initials of their master, because a slave was considered a human subspecies, working flesh, some semblance of an animal. However, the application of signs was regulated by official laws. For example, escaped slaves were tattooed with the letter “F” on their foreheads, that is, “fuggitivo” - fugitive.
In Ancient Rome, tattoos were incompatible with such concepts as a free person or a citizen. They could not be seen on the bodies of senators or Roman nobility. Emperor Caligula applied them to people of high rank only when they needed to be publicly punished or humiliated, since tattooing on the body was regarded as a symbol of inferiority and was considered the prerogative of barbarians. This is confirmed by many chroniclers in such works as “Germania” by Tacitus, “De bello Gallicum” by Caesar or “Bellorum Germaniae” by Pliny the Elder. In particular, it was noted that “the Gauls and Germans change their bodies with indelible paint to intimidate the Roman army, while the Roman army itself does not need to change its human appearance, since it is civil and fair.” 
However, the conquest of more and more new territories had a significant impact on the spread of tattooing in the Roman Empire itself. Legionnaires, influenced by the customs of the conquered peoples, began to decorate their bodies with the words “Civis Romanus”, that is, “Citizen of Rome”. It was a kind of distinctive sign that made it possible to bury a legionnaire who fell on the battlefield with appropriate honors, or to identify a fleeing deserter. Subsequently, they began to add to it the symbol or name of the legion, as well as the name of the emperor - especially when he was loved and respected, although, according to Herodotus, such a practice was not approved by the authorities.
Before Christianity became the state religion, many followers who believed in the Savior began to independently apply various religious symbols to their bodies, marking themselves as witnesses of their own faith, and slaves doomed to hard physical labor in quarries or to gladiatorial fights were branded in its most prominent areas.
S.P.Q.R. - an abbreviation of the Latin phrase “Senatus Populus Que Romanus”, that is, “The Senate and citizens of Rome” or, literally, “The Senate and citizens are Rome”
After Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity (around 325 AD), many things began to change. He legislated that tattoos could only be on the arms or legs and completely prohibited their application on the face, since it “cannot be damaged, because it was created in the image and likeness of God,” as stated in the Bible. However, he did not forbid legionnaires from doing this, for whom tattooing had become a tradition and glorified the name of the legion.
Roman tattoos for Christians were finally banned by Pope Adrian I at the Council of Nicaea in 787, which was later confirmed by papal bulls. In their application, a connection was seen with paganism, which was considered a belief from the devil. From that time on, the practice of tattooing gradually began to disappear throughout the Apennine Peninsula. However, for many centuries, tattooing continued to be a distinctive sign of sailors, war veterans, criminals and some ethnic minorities; it was seen as an indicator of retardation and even some kind of mental disorder.
The gladiator tattoo gained popularity with the release of the film of the same name starring Russell Crowe. The image of the Roman slave has become so romanticized that many have forgotten its origins. What does a tattoo mean in the modern art of body painting, are such male designs suitable for women?
Historical facts
Translated from Latin, the word “gladiator” is translated as “sword-bearer.” Gladiators were specially trained fighters who participated in spectacular fights. Bloodthirsty battles first appeared in Ancient Rome and on the territory of Sparta back in 106 BC. At first, slaves, criminals and prisoners of war sentenced to death became gladiators. They were trained in a special school, each of them was trained in a certain type of combat. These could be battles on horseback, fights with animals or people, with or without weapons.
At first, gladiator fights were held only on holidays in honor of the god of war, Mars. But soon the bloodthirsty public became so captivated by the exciting spectacle that battles became commonplace entertainment. Interest in them was also fueled by the fact that the gladiator who defeated everyone not only received a significant monetary reward, but could also redeem his life in this way. Gradually, the former slaves were replaced by ordinary Spartans who wanted to earn extra money and gain unprecedented fame.
In 63 AD. Emperor Nero allowed women to take part in gladiatorial fights. 89 AD was marked by the fact that the then ruler Domitian issued a decree on the possibility of dwarfs participating in battles. Despite the fact that the gladiator had a helmet, armor and shield, it was almost impossible to avoid death. Scenes of violence, when a lion tore a man apart in front of an enthusiastic audience, aroused anger and indignation among Christians. In 404, gladiatorial combat was officially abolished by Emperor Honorius.
Who is the tattoo suitable for?
The main meaning of tattoos in modern body art is independence, the desire for freedom, fearlessness and courage. The drawing is more suitable for men who feel the spirit of a warrior within themselves. The owner of a gladiator tattoo is a selfless and courageous person who openly declares to the world and others that he is not afraid of any blows of fate or life’s difficulties. He dreams of freedom and does not accept restrictions. The gladiator tattoo is an aggressive symbol in itself, so it is not suitable for soft and indecisive people who cannot defend their point of view.
This tattoo is rare, but still found in women. The owner of a gladiator tattoo is often in a hopeless situation, but strives with all her might to overcome the black streak and emerge victorious from a difficult situation. Such a girl is always faithful to her chosen one.
In the area of the gladiator tattoo, the meaning is even more aggressive than in ordinary life. The tattoo on the arm or shoulder is made by the so-called fighter, who deals with prisoners on the orders of the main “boss”. This mission is considered responsible and respected, so the status of such a convict is quite high in criminal circles.
Performance technique
The gladiator tattoo looks impressive in the style of realism. You can take a specific screen image of one of the Hollywood actors as a basis, or opt for an abstract image (see photo in the gallery). In your work, it is important to convey the character’s facial expressions and gestures, so you should approach the choice of a master responsibly. A gladiator tattoo design will look beautiful on a large scale on the back or leg.
In the case of small monochrome drawings, preference should be given to the dotwork style. Tattoos of gladiator armor with a helmet, shoulder pads and shield are a talisman for its owner. The ideal application site is the foot and forearm.
Video about men's tattoos
Photos of tattoos and sketches with gladiators
Roman numerals tattoo, forearm
Ancient Rome gave humanity legal rights, concrete and Roman numerals. Slender and laconic lines look beautiful. They are easily arranged into groups, creating an artistic effect.
Connoisseurs of the lettering style have a great love for Roman numerals. With their help, you can encrypt a message or memory of a significant event on the skin.
Roman numerals, how to choose your tattoo
Latin numbers can indicate a date, quantity, or encrypt entire concepts. If you understand this issue, you have an endless number of options for tattoos.
Creating the original image will take several hours. For viewers it will decorate the skin, and for you it will carry a secret message.
To choose your tattoo, Roman numerals must have meaning for you personally. You can encode your date of birth in the drawing. You can record a unique event that influenced your life.
The best way to decide is to look for an experienced craftsman working in lettering style. He will help you determine the location for application and develop a design for the numbers for you. Ultimately, you will have an original tattoo that carries meaning and serves as decoration.
Meaning of tattoo
Roman numeral tattoos in modern traditions carry a semantic meaning. This is not a simple set of strokes and lines. It contains data important to the carrier.
Common meanings for numbers for tattoos:
- 0 - symbol of non-existence, the beginning of a new one;
- I - strength, leadership and advantage, power;
- II is the number of awakening hidden potential and at the same time a symbol of contradiction;
- III - development, growth, flowering of talent;
- IV - hard work, organization and prudence;
- V - patroness of travelers, dreamers and explorers;
- VI - strong family, unification with others;
- VII - sacred number, awakening esoteric abilities;
- VIII - the number of lucky and happy people, an allegory of well-being;
- IX is a universal number in which longevity is encrypted.
With these meanings, you can reinforce positive effects in your life. For example, the date of birth of a child or meeting of a loved one.
By applying such marks on the body, a person wants to pay tribute to an event that changed his life.
Who is the tattoo suitable for?
Tattoos with dates are preferred by people with a pragmatic character. They are goal-oriented and value their time.
By decorating yourself with Roman numerals, you discover your hidden talents and create a protective sign on your body. This is one of the simplest. For example, your date of birth can serve as a connection to your family.
A pattern with numbers can emphasize femininity or enhance the feeling of masculinity. The perception of the image depends on the place of application. The style of the picture is considered important.
A pattern with numbers can emphasize femininity or enhance the feeling of masculinity. The perception of the image depends on the place of application. The style of the picture is considered important.
The tattoo looks good on fair skin. laconic stripes create an attractive contrast, enhancing the feeling of transparency.
Roman numbers are suitable for strong and independent people. By their means, the tattoo emphasizes the strong-willed character of the owner.
How to diversify your tattoo
If you want to get a date tattoo and want to diversify the design, you should think about additional elements. For example, the numbers can be placed as a straight line along the forearm.
Places of application
The most common place to place the number is the wrist. The drawing starts vertically or horizontally. Decorating the hand creates an attractive visual effect. The second place on the hand for a tattoo is the back of the hand or forearm.
Number tattoo on forearm
Roman numeral tattoo, old school
Number tattoo on hand
Number tattoo on neck
Roman numerals tattoo on heels
Roman numerals tattoo on shoulder blade
Lettering and Roman numerals tattoo
photo from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BuT1flsgxR7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Roman numerals tattoo on forearm
Legionnaire tattoo means courage, boldness, bravery, fearlessness, valor, strong character, unshakable spirit, warlike mood, masculinity, perseverance, strength, loyalty, pride, power, a true protector.
Legionnaire tattoo meaning
The tattoo has a very strong meaning, carrying an active masculine principle. It contains positive energy.
The tattoo personifies an unbending character, the desire to win, and loyalty to one’s ideals. The owner of such a design strives to be like a fearless warrior. Legionnaire means that its owner is a strong-willed person who is able to overcome life's difficulties with his head held high.
In a broad sense, the tattoo symbolizes courage, bravery and the spirit of war. However, a tattoo can change meanings depending on changes in composition. If a legionnaire stands with his knee bent, then this is an indicator of loyalty and honor, and if at the same time his head is bowed, this is an indicator of loss and sorrow. Raised weapons symbolize triumph and inspire victories. A legionnaire on horseback is associated with a conqueror.
Such a drawing speaks of its wearer as a fearless and strong-spirited person, ready to sacrifice himself for a good purpose and able to stand up for himself. The tattoo seems to denote the hidden forces of a person, ready to come to his aid in difficult times.
As it becomes clear from what is described above, a tattoo does not have a negative meaning. The legionnaire of Ancient Rome was a strong fighter, known for his fearlessness and bravery. By applying such a tattoo, a person emphasizes that he strives to possess the qualities of an ancient warrior and correspond to them.
The main purpose of any Roman tattoo, including a legionnaire, is to emphasize a person’s courage and his unbending will to win.
The tattoo has many details. A legionnaire can be depicted in full combat readiness and with a weapon in his hands. Often accompanied by inscriptions, emblems or animals. Usually a legionnaire is depicted from the waist up, but there are exceptions. Portrait drawing is also popular. Much less often a legionnaire is depicted in full growth.
If only a helmet is depicted on the tattoo, then it acts as a symbol of protection and safety. It was the helmet that was the second attribute after the shield that saved lives in war. This tattoo also speaks of help. Its owner can count on help in difficult situations.
The tattoo can be depicted together with Roman numerals, which indicate a memorable date for its owner.
Tattoos are performed in different styles. It is worth considering that realism will require a large area of skin. In this case, the shoulder, back, chest or forearm are best. Battle scenes are depicted on the back, shoulder blades or thighs. Smaller tattoos look good on the ribs, arms, shins or calves.
In addition to realism, work is often performed in the following styles: graphics, oriental, dotwork.
The legionnaire tattoo is directly related to men. However, this does not strictly prohibit the weaker sex. Sometimes strong women also apply it to their skin.
Roman tattoos, the meaning of which is described below, will be a great idea for people who prefer the good old classics and appreciate the canons of ancient art. Such tattoos can look very stylish and unusual. You will learn about the most popular motifs of Roman tattoos, as well as stylizations of such works, from this article.
The meaning of Roman tattoos
Roman tattoos take us back to the era of brave warriors and heroic battles, to the times of real men and the monsters they faced. Most often, such tattoos are made by men, but there are no strict restrictions on this issue, so if they wish, representatives of the fair half of humanity can also decorate their bodies with Roman-style tattoos.
The main meanings of Roman tattoos are as follows:
- courage and bravery. A tattoo with a warrior fighting a terrible monster can be made by people who want to emphasize their courage and unbending will to win;
- Often people get tattoos with Roman numerals. These could be any significant dates: a birthday, a wedding, or the birth of a child. Roman numerals look much more elegant than Arabic ones, which is why such tattoos have recently become quite popular;
- In ancient Rome, there were tattoos that were applied only to royalty, soldiers or disobedient slaves. Usually such tattoos are abbreviations. Nowadays, this tradition has been revived, and some people adopt the experience of Roman soldiers, applying tattoos as a symbol of their social status or rebellious nature.
This is interesting! Many young people come out of the army with tattoos with the numbers of their military units. Interestingly, ancient Roman soldiers did approximately the same thing: dots were tattooed on their skin that indicated the sign of the legion, as well as the name of the commander of the legion in which the soldier served.
Roman tattoos, photos of which are presented in the article, can look very original and unusual. For example, you can stylize letters and numbers by choosing old school or new school styles.
You can play with numbers in the style of graphics or dot-work. The date, which is made in Roman numerals, which seem to be cut out of a modern newspaper, will look quite peculiar.
Often Roman numerals and symbols are used in trash polka style. Typically, such tattoos combine realism and graphics. A realistic portrait of a Roman warrior, complemented with elements of modern pop art, will look impressive.
Advice! Often people refuse a tattoo because they are afraid of severe pain during the application process. If you have been putting off going to a tattoo parlor for a similar reason, just ask the artist to use a special ointment that contains analgesics.
Where can a Roman tattoo be located?
Roman tattoos, sketches of which are presented in the article, can be located on any part of the body. A small memorial can be made behind the ear or on the neck. Often numbers or letters are tattooed on the knuckles (however, this place is considered one of the most painful places to get a tattoo on the body).
Battle scenes can be depicted on the back, shoulder blades or thighs. A Roman warrior can decorate
