Note 206 — Chapter III · ANCIENT SPARTA

As to the exercises of the virgins, and their appearing naked, C. O. Müller, in his History and Antiquities of the Doric Race observes:

“The female sex underwent in this respect the same education as the male, though (as has been above remarked) only the virgins. They had their own gymnasia, and exercised themselves, either naked or lightly clad, in running, wrestling, or throwing the quoit or spear. It is highly improbable that youths or men were allowed to look on, since in the gymnasia of Lacedæmon no idle bystanders were permitted; every person was obliged either to join the rest, or withdraw.”—Book iv., ch. v.-viii.