I guess in Ancient Greece, women had to do more t get men's attention.
Posted on 09/09/2023 2:56:57 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A mosaic from an Roman villa in Sicily depicts ten women wearing an ancient version of the two-piece bikini. Credit: TyB / CC-BY-2.0 / Wikimedia Commons It is believed that the bikini was a 20th century invention, but an ancient mosaic reveals women in Rome wore it while playing sports.
The Villa Romana del Casale, located in Sicily, dates back to the early fourth century AD. Among the ruins, archeologists have discovered one of the largest collections of ancient Roman mosaics.
All of them are surprisingly well preserved. One of the rooms of the villa is called Sala delle Dieci Ragazze, which can be translated as “Room of the Ten Girls” – based on the number of those depicted in the floor mosaic.
Eight of them wear what in the modern world would be called a two-piece bikini, another woman wears a yellow translucent dress, while the image of the only one figure has not survived to this day.
The bottom of this set of clothing looks like a terracotta-colored band made of fabric or leather, similar to men’s loincloths. As for the top, it is reminiscent of a modern strapless breastband. Such chest harnesses also have their own history and have been known since the times of Ancient Greece. It is believed that most often the material for this was linen. This piece of clothing was intended for women leading an active lifestyle and partaking in physical exercise.
Grecian Delight supports Greece
Thus, it can be assumed that in ancient times such a bikini was not used for swimming, but rather for sports. This is exactly what all the women depicted in the mosaic are doing. Some of them run, and others throw a discus or hold weights in their hands.
Two women are playing with a ball together. Researchers speculate that this could be some kind of early form of volleyball. In general, ball games are considered one of the most ancient. Their mentions can be found in Homer’s Odyssey. One of the girls, standing in the center, holds a palm branch in one hand and is about to place a victory crown on her head – probably a reward for the best performance. All the women look athletic and have noticeable muscle outlines on their arms and legs.
When it comes to sports, women in ancient Rome were permitted to practice physical forms of exercise, but they faced certain restrictions within a patriarchal society. They were not allowed to take part in competitions with men, and public female nudity was frowned upon. Therefore, a kind of prototype of the modern bikini made it possible to play sports without much inconvenience.
Ancient Leather “Thong”
This mosaic is not the only evidence of the ancient roots of this garment. Another bikini bottom, or more precisely something resembling a leather thong, was found in 1998 by British archeologists.
It is believed that it corresponds precisely to the modern analogue of swimming trunks and is fastened with tiny strings. This interesting ancient exhibit is now being presented in the London Museum.
I guess in Ancient Greece, women had to do more t get men's attention.
Because the men were interested in each other?
sure these depict women? tiny tops, front loaded bottoms and those faces scream WOMYN. more more the Greek way in that era.
Those Kung Flu hats are pretty cool.
I wonder if they shaved their legs.
Had to start somewhere.
This is where the Rockets got their name.
You mean the Rockettes?
yes......
These aren’t bikinis, they’re more akin to sports bras and runner briefs. They’re exercising, not lounging at the beach.
Photo of Helen Thomas....
Great gag on Don Imus while she was alive.
Report said Saddam Hussein could have sex with his mistress only if he used Viagra first and had Frank Sinatra’s Strangers in the Night playing. Always exactly that way.
Imus said: “I think we should cut the guy a break. We don’t know the woman he’s working with. Maybe she looks like Helen Thomas’s older sister.”
An itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini?
It sounds like cultural appropriation. THe Bikini atoll is in the Pacific Ocean.
Thus became women’s beach volleyball........
Message from Jim Robinson:
Dear FRiends,
We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.
If you enjoy using FR and agree it’s a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you,
Jim
What about the dude in the gold robe? Looks a little like Lia Thomas.
My Classical Archaeology textbook had a photo of this mosaic . . . in 1973!!
The swimwear Bikini was named after the atoll. When the U.S. did a nuclear test there in the 1950’s a French designer named his new revealing women’s swimwear the Bikini.
Had to distract from the mustashes.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.