Ancient Roman mosaic reveals women wore bikinis

Although many believe that the bikini is a 20th century invention, an ancient Roman fresco proves that women in Rome wore something similar when playing sports.

The Villa Romana del Casale, in Sicily, dates from the 4th century AD and contains one of the largest collections of Roman mosaics. These mosaics are exceptionally well preserved. One of the rooms in the villa is called the "Hall of the Ten Maidens", because of the women depicted on its floor.

Το βρετανικό υποβρύχιο από τον Β’ Παγκόσμιο που βρέθηκε πρόσφατα στο Ικάριο Πέλαγος (ΒΙΝΤΕΟ)

Most of the women are wearing what we would today describe as a two-piece bikini. Eight of them are depicted wearing a bandeau-like outfit and a pair of pants resembling a man's loincloth, while one more is wearing a translucent yellow dress. The image of one woman has not survived.

These outfits appear to be made of fabric or leather, with the lower part resembling a loincloth and the upper part resembling a modern bandeau. This attire was ideal for women who engaged in physical exercise.

The mosaic depicts women engaged in various sports, including running, discus throwing, and weightlifting. Two of them are playing ball, which could be an early form of volleyball. A woman in the center holds a palm branch and prepares to wear a wreath, likely as a reward for the best performance.

Although women in ancient Rome were allowed to exercise, there were restrictions due to patriarchal society. They were not allowed to compete with men and public nudity was frowned upon, so the bikini was a practical solution for exercise.

Furthermore, in 1998, british archaeologists Found what looked like leather underwear, similar to modern swimwear, which is on display at the Museum of London, confirming the ancient roots of this garment.