Subligaculum

Female athletes wearing a bikini-like combination of a subligaculum and a strophium (breast-cloth)

Bikini-like leather subligaculum found in excavations of Roman London (Museum of London)

A subligaculum was a kind of undergarment worn by ancient Romans. It could come either in the form of a pair of shorts, or in the form of a simple loincloth wrapped around the lower body. It could be worn both by men and women. In particular, it was part of the dress of gladiators, athletes, and of actors on the stage. Leather subligacula have been found in excavations of Roman London.^[1]

Notes

1. "Leather bikinis" at museumoflondon.org.uk

References

• William Smith: A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875. (art. Subligaculum)