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This timeline of social nudity shows the varying degrees of acceptance given to the naked human body by diverse cultures throughout history. The events listed here demonstrate how various societies have shifted between strict and lax clothing standards, how nudity has played a part in social movements and protest, and how the nude human body is accepted in the public sphere.
In order to take away the excessive tenderness and delicacy of the sex, the consequence of a recluse life, he accustomed the virgins occasionally to be seen naked as well as the young men, and to dance and sing in their presence on certain festivals....As for the virgins appearing naked, there was nothing disgraceful in it, because everything was conducted with modesty, and without one indecent word or action. Nay, it caused a simplicity of manners and an emulation for the best habit of body; their ideas too were naturally enlarged, while they were not excluded from their share of bravery and honour.
Some have iron breastplates of chain mail while others fight naked!, and for them the breastplate given by nature suffices.
On this account the fishermen here work stark naked, with sometimes a little skull cap on their heads; and they are the only workmen in Palestine who do, for nakedness is thought shameful. This strange custom is incidentally noticed in his Gospel by John the fisherman, when he tells that Peter, before leaping out of the boat to swim ashore to his Master, 'girt his fisher's garment upon him, for he was naked.'Neil, James. (1913). Everyday Life in the Holy Land.
Then, after these things, the bishop passes each of them on nude to the elder who stands at the water. They shall stand in the water naked.