Naked Greeks

[sakura11]

How common were these
I have the black tree Greeks and have both hoplite and what appear to be light troops with Chiton and boots
How common were they and would they mix with unarmoured peltasts and light troops
Many thanks

[Samnite308]

Some have argued that naked hoplites depicted in sculpture and other forms of art are representative of heroic nudity and do not reflect actual practice.  But it is certainly possible, as the Greeks competed in athletics in the nude as well as other strenuous activities.  Only around 10% of hoplites had bronze cuirasses, a greater number used linothorax type armour although the proportion would have probably varied depending upon the wealth of individual hoplites (maybe 20-30%?).  The majority of hoplites would have relied on their shields alone for protection, so it would be up to you to decide what percentage would forego wearing a chiton and fight naked

[sakura11]

Thanks for the reply
I had that idea but the faces were heavily bearded and shaggy
Looking at the website they are Spartans and have now been used as such in the phalanx
Greece in winter is cold but I guess most fighting was in the Sumer so not too bad
Adds to the variety

[FierceKitty]

People weren't trying to jab a spear into you at the Olympics. I'm a nudist myself, but I wear protective gear in strong sunlight or on a motorbike; and a battlefield is more dangerous. The Greeks were often crazy, but they weren't stupid.

[delbruck]

I think it unlikely that you would find many non conformists in Sparta. So, I expect in Sparta that either all were naked or nobody was. Other city states weren't so strict. There is a lot of artistic representation, but whether it was actually done in battle is anyone's guess.

[swiftnick]

I seem to remember a story about a Spartan jumping up from the marital bed and rushing to defend the city. He fought naked and was later fined for risking his life which was valuable to the state.

[FierceKitty]

I think he was in the bath, wasn't he? I think it was partly a gleaming, oiled Spartan body in the torchlight that caused anxiety that he might be a god.

Lucky not to have been fined for blasphemy!

[Ethelred the Almost Ready]

Best way to counter a phalanx of naked Greeks - take up a defencive position behind an icy river; once they cross they won't be feeling (or looking) so manly.