Uncomfortable Details About Ancient Greece That Weren't In The History Books

Ancient Greeks were show-offs. They invented theatre, the Olympics, and even the cornerstones of democracy. You'd be forgiven for believing the streets then were full of philosophers with sexy calves and great taste in wine. But, really, Western culture just doesn’t embrace the dirty details of Ancient Greece. Yes, while that period may have seemed pristine when we learned about it in school, there was a grimy side that our textbooks definitely didn't cover.

Wiped With Stones

Toilet paper is only a recent luxury. So, the Greeks wiped with pebbles and smooth stones. In a pinch, pottery fragments were used. Some even etched the pieces with their enemies’ names. Totally worth the hemorrhoids.

Naked Workouts

The word "gymnasium" actually derives from a Greek term that means "exercise naked." And that's just what the Ancient Greeks did. Imagine if we'd carried that practice on, though. Spotting someone on the bench press would become much more awkward...

Doctors Tasted Body Fluids

The Ancient Greeks believed that every bodily fluid had a specific taste. To determine what illness you had, then, a medic would take a sample of your phlegm or vomit and sip it. The only question is: who dared diagnose these poor doctors?

Women's Health Crazes

The Greeks weren't so hot on feminine health, either. To ward off disease, women were instructed to drink and be covered in the dung of cows and mules. Ever think you’d miss a pap smear?