The Art of perfect body: a glimpse in the polis of Sparta

Abstract

The article analyzes a cross-section of gender in the ancient culture and in particular in the polis of Sparta. Famous for its cult of the body and its practices for the war, Sparta gave prominence to women's gymnastics exercises to create the "perfect body", unique to generate the Spartiate. Cross analysis in competitive gymnastics, by which the woman was engaged through mythology, history and customs.