Waypoint 6

Classical Civilisations: Greece, Rome & Mesoamerica

Across great civilisations of ancient world, attitudes toward nudity varied dramatically, shaped by cultural values, social norms and religious beliefs. Whilst Ancient Greece celebrated the human body through athletics, art and philosophy, Ancient Rome shifted toward modesty with notable exceptions, and Mesoamerican societies incorporated nudity into religious rituals, warfare and artistic expression. This waypoint explores how these three civilisations understood and represented the unclothed body.

Greece: Gymnos and Celebration of the Body

The word “gymnasium” comes from the Greek ‘gymnos,’ meaning ‘naked,’ reflecting the cultural norm of athletic nudity in Ancient Greece. Greek men trained and competed nude as a demonstration of physical excellence, with the Olympic Games embodying this ideal. Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle viewed the body as a reflection of divine harmony, emphasising its role in education, virtue and personal development.

Despite this reverence for the male body, Greek society exhibited extreme gender disparities. Women were largely confined to domestic roles, their presence in public life restricted, even as female figures like Athena and Aphrodite were venerated as goddesses. A notable exception was Sparta, where women received physical training similar to men and were encouraged to maintain strong bodies for the production of future warriors.

Rome: Modesty, Public Baths and Spectacle

In contrast to Ancient Greeks, Ancient Romans leaned toward modesty in daily life, with togas and tunics reflecting social class and decorum. However, exceptions existed: public baths, where both men and women bathed nude, were integral to Roman culture. The Roman arena highlighted the nude or semi-nude body in gladiatorial combat (but for spectacle, rather than reverence).

Ancient Roman perspectives on nudity evolved with time. Early Rome retained some Greek influences, but by the later empire, Christian morality contributed to growing discomfort with public nudity. Statues and artworks celebrating the unclothed form increasingly fell out of favour as modesty norms solidified.

Mesoamerica: Warriors, Rituals and Artistic Expression

Across the Atlantic, Aztec and Maya civilisations depicted nudity in distinct cultural contexts. Amongst the Maya, artistic reliefs and murals show rulers, priests and deities in partial or full nudity, often as part of religious ceremonies. Aztecs, known for their warrior culture, occasionally depicted warriors in minimal clothing, emphasising strength and intimidation. Nudity also played a role in fertility rites and religious offerings, underscoring its connection to cosmic cycles and divine forces.

Whilst nudity was present in Mesoamerican traditions, strict dress codes were also enforced in daily life. Aztec ruling elite mandated clothing regulations that distinguished social classes, reinforcing hierarchy and control.

This panel highlights the complex and often contradictory views on nudity across these ancient civilizations, revealing how the unclothed body was alternately revered, restricted, and ritualized depending on the social and cultural framework of the time.