This suggestive 4^th-century AD mosaic is in the Villa Romana del Casale in the town of Piazza Armerina in Sicily. Nine of the ten girls depicted in the mosaic wear what appear to be modern “bikini” swimsuits. In reality, the cloth or leather loincloth (known as a subligaculum) and linen breastband (known as a strophium) were worn by women for athletic competitions. In other words, the ancient Roman ladies in the mosaic wear sportswear, not swimwear. Buona visione!