The History of Nudism

The History of Nudism


Nudism and the Bible

When the word "nudism" is mentioned, the first thought is of Adam and Eve. The Book of Genesis states at the end of Chapter 2 in verse 25 that "The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." In Chapter 3, after Adam and Eve eat of the fruit of the tree, they become aware of their nakedness and cover themselves in shame. Because nudism, or naturism, today exists in a cultural, social and political context, Adam and Eve would not be considered true social nudists. Only two people existed in the world, therefore, there was no true society, or culture or political arena. There however, are Christian nudists who believe that Adam and Eve covering their bodies in shame was the true sin. God made the human body and God never created anything evil or ugly. In addition, throughout the Bible there are references to prophetic nudism, such as Saul laying nude to have a vision and joyful nudism such as King David dancing naked for joy when the Ark of the Covenant arrived in Jerusalem. However, these were various incidents and not a culture as a whole practicing nudism. The true origins of nudism would have to be traced to the Ancient Egypt and to the Greek and Roman Empires. It was in those arenas that the first forms of nudism as cultural, social, and political foundations were laid. Nudism has played an important part of the world's development and has evolved and flowed along many political and social climates, from the origins in Greece to Victorian England, to the Renaissance period experienced in both Europe and America into the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.


Nudism in Ancient Egypt


Tablets from Ancient Egypt were discovered that proved Pharaoh Akhen-Aton (1385 - 1353 B.C.) and his wife Nefertiti, considered the sun to be the wellspring of life, and for this reason practiced nudism and sun bathing for both physical health and for spiritual reasons. Victorian archaeologists who discovered the tablets were critical as they discovered through tablets and wall carvings that the Pharaoh and his wife, along with the Egyptian court, practiced nudism not only in the swimming pools, but also in the royal gardens and palace. While ancient Egyptians embraced nudism, Jews of the time viewed nudity as culturally embarrassing. Most captive Jews were made to be naked and were often whipped upon the bare buttocks. Those Jews who fought in the gladiator arenas often covered their glans with sheep or ram gut to conceal the fact that they were circumcised as this was particular to their race. Otherwise, they were often laughed at and looked upon with derision.


Nudism in Ancient Greece and Rome


Centuries after Pharaoh Akhen-Aton's reign, Greek culture began a movement towards holistic living. The Greek culture of that time considered the human body to be aesthetically pleasing and a work of beauty. Greek culture considered depictions of the naked human body to be not only normal, but beautiful, not in terms of eroticism, but rather as they appreciated the arts and nature. The Greeks were known for their athleticism and training in gymnasiums, which when literally translated, means "a place to train naked." In ancient Rome and in ancient Greece, public nudism was acceptable not only in the sports arena, but also in terms of public bathing. The dress style of both the ancient Greek and Roman cultures allowed for easy release from clothing. The draped clothing could be taken off with just the simple release of the shoulder clips. The gymnasiums themselves were not merely places to exercise, but were also forums where music, philosophy, and general education were taught. The worship of the Greek and Roman gods meant that these cultures tried to not only please their gods, but to also imitate them. There could be no greater worship, by their beliefs, than to develop their bodies both mentally and physically to the best of their abilities. The major schools of philosophy, music, and art were all housed in gymnasiums. Even as religion began to decline and be replaced by philosophy, nudism as a social, cultural and political movement was still popular. Socrates advocated nudity as a "form of honesty."


Nudism and the Olympic Games

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History Of Nudism