Gymnitai Hoplitai- Naked hoplites!!!

[Hax]

That's not what I stated. I'm just saying that just looking at vases is perhaps not completely to be trusted. Now, if four writers state that we had pointy-angled skin and no reproductive organs then it's something different. Or are there any writers who stated that Greek warriors went to war naked?

[Maion Maroneios]

Indeed, we shouldn't simply accept something as true because we saw it being depicted in a vase. Your answer was just way too "this is stupid" and I though we should at least listen to the guy. Even better would it be if someone presented some evidence against him instead of rejecting what he found.

But that's basically the trick with history isn't it? We're not able to actually prove something based on vases or descriptions. It's not Mathematics, you cannot prove something that easily. You just rely on archeological evidence, inscriptions, vases etc. and create an oppinion, which (most times) doesn't necessarily apply to reality. You just see were the something points to, and accept it as a possible fact.

Maion

[Hax]

Indeed, we shouldn't simply accept something as true because we saw it being depicted in a vase. Your answer was just way too "this is stupid" and I though we should at least listen to the guy. Even better would it be if someone presented some evidence against him instead of rejecting what he found.

Please, don't act so morally.

It's actually called ironic criticism. I'm not saying that what he stated "is too stupid", as you put it, and although my answer wasn't really constructive, I'm now saying that he could bring up some evidence by writers that stated that Greek warriors fought in the nude.

[Maion Maroneios]

Being ironic equals making fun of someone or something, you know. At least someone may feel offended by it. And I believe you undersood what you did yourself, so no need to take this further.

Maion

[ARCHIPPOS]

"I'm now saying that he could bring up some evidence by writers that stated that Greek warriors fought in the nude"

errrr, ok to my knowledge there are no historical passages reffering to naked hoplites but then again my knowledge of ancient literature is limited at best... so all we have so far are such depictions which could indeed be stylized art and not actual real life representations... such evidences are circumstancial and certainly not helpful in reaching a definite conclusion... but clearly the question still stands...

[Watchman]

Didn't the Greeks find the stark heroic nekkidness of the Gaesatae just as jarring as the Romans, though ?

[Hax]

On a more serious note, I have found a passage in this book:

http://books.google.nl/books?id=9bIdOjvocwwC&pg=PA59

[the man with no name]

Well if what Maion says is right, then the naked hoplites could be like druids except naked. Sarcasm said that in Spain they have naked ppl. on commercials. He's right. It's not like guys or girls will never see penises, balls, and breasts in their life. They're gonna have to deal with it eventually if they get married... Ever thought about that?