Quote Originally Posted by Jaertecken View Post
Anyone stopped to think that, maybe, the nude hoplites on vases and in other hellenic art is perhaps an romantic, artistic renderition? The psychological value of depicting your countrymen as muscled warriors, so brave they even fights nude, must have been quite huge on the common man.
Indeed, nudity was praised in Ancient Greek society. A strong, muscled and clean body was the norm in those times. Obesity was frowned upon, which is basically the exact opposite with American society (with over 70% of the population being overweight IIRC). Depicting your warriors, as you and others correctly stated, nude was a way of boosting one's bravery.

Maion