Hadrianio Explains the Games

Fran has requested a description of the Ancient Bikini Girls' games, a very good question, to which our resident Bathhouse Man, Hadrianio, is only too gracious to provide the answers. Of course he has to take a break from his massage duties, which he offers around the clock:

The Games: (Information from "Roman Ball Games" site on Google, direct quote.)

First picture:
"The portion shown above shows two girls playing catch or volleying a ball as in Trigon. Note that it looks softball sized, in the hands of Roman girls and resembles the game shown in the first image of the ballplayers above. The ball they are playing with, is either the harpastum or the small follis.This fresco comes from Sicily, the Piazza Armesina, and dates from the first half of the 4th century AD."

Second Picture:
"This seemingly anachronistic fresco shows Roman girls exercising in bikinis. In the top portion above, the girl on the left is catching what looks like a football, but it is actually a medicine ball of oblong shape, called a paganica. These were commonly used for exercise in Rome. The other young lady is exercising with dumbells. Note that she has the characteristic deltoids of a female weightlifter -- indicating this is not merely an artistic impression."

Description from Seneca about Men in Roman Baths:
Here is a descriptive passage from Seneca, who happened to live next door to the baths:
"I am living near a bath: sounds are heard on all sides. Just imagine for yourself every conceivable kind of noise that can offend the ear. The men of more sturdy muscle go through their exercises, and swing their hands heavily weighted with lead; I hear their groans when they strain themselves, or the whistling of labored breath when they breathe out after having held in...If a ballplayer begins to play and to count his throws, it's all up for the time being."

All material from Google: Roman Ball Games and Baths