Roman "Bikini Girls" Mosaic
by Science Photo Library
Title
Roman "Bikini Girls" Mosaic
Artist
Science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Detail from a 4th century Ad Roman mosaic showing three women exercising. The two on the right are throwing a ball. The woman on the left is carrying a palm frond and wearing a crown.Ancient Rome inherited the athletic system of exercises from the Greeks. The physical education of young people from aristocratic families was considered most important. The eminent Roman physician Galen (Claudius Galenus) recommended physical therapy for his patients. The women are exercising in their underwear. These garments, resembling modern bikini swimwear, consist of an upper part called the fascia pectoralis and a lower part the subligatur. These items were frequently worn in gymnastics, but otherwise were optional. The mosaic, from the Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina in Sicily, portrays ten young women. This mosaic has been interpreted as depicting an athletics competition
Uploaded
March 7th, 2014
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