ANTİK YUNANDAKİ BAZI SANATSAL SPORTİF FİGÜRLER ÜZERİNE DÜŞÜNCELER

The aim of this study is to make some comments on nude sport figures pictured in Ancient Greek period. For this aim, literature review was conducted in the study. In Ancient Greek period, the thought that many sport competitions were made nude was suggested from some figures. The word “Gymnasium” is derived from a plural word which means the “nude”. With the tradition that physical education was made nude, the field in which nude young did training and sport was called Gymnasium. It has been put forward that the reasons for athletes to compete nude in competitions in Gymnasium were reasons such the thought that they represented a divine power, they showed their beautiful bodies, competitions were made under equal terms and also in order to prevent the competitors from referring to tricks. Conclusion: Despite the thought that male athletes competed nude in Ancient Greece and first Olympics is prevalent according to some figures, it is also thought that this may not be completely true. Comparing these nude figures with dressed figures corresponding to the same period can contribute to reaching more correct results.