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| In the ancient Olympic games, athletes competed naked. |
They were not laden with the inhibitions under which we suffer today. |
On the contrary, the Greeks considered the athletic male body to be among the highest forms of beauty. |
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| As do I. |
Too bad the modern games have gone the way of puritans and prudes. |
The Greeks did have one little known, very specific nudity taboo. It was against showing the glans of the penis. This was prevented by tying a small bit of string around the foreskin to prevent the head from accidentally popping out. |
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| But I've never seen this depicted in art, probably because this was a practical and not an artistic measure. |
Ancient boxing was brutal. There were no judges and no rounds. The fight continued until a knock out or a man yielded. |
"I can take him!" |
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First place winners were given victor's ribbons to wear. They were honored with statues, money, and status and were set for life. Second place got nothing. |