Strigil

Strigil

The strigilis (strigilis) is an elongated, curved spoon-shaped scraper with a handle that usually has a small ring at the end to pass a chain or wire. This object, which we often associate with Greek athletes, was used to cleanse the body. Usually, before going out in the arena, the athletes anointed their body with oil to protect themselves, as they used to go naked. After athletic activities, They scratched their body with the strigil and the oil impregnated with dust and sweat was scraped off. Once removed the dirt, they took a good bath in the baths. In Roman times it was also used by gladiators, and the remains that were removed with their utensils were often sold to their followers.

In the Museum of Badalona we have two fragments of a bronze strigil, possibly of the same piece, but we lack the central part that would join the part of the handle (registration number 9945) with the part of the spoon (registration number 8605). They were found in the excavations that Josep M. Cuyàs made in the Torre Vella and its surroundings during the 1950s. Although its exact origin is unknown, it is probable that it corresponded to the area of the baths as this it was a widely used utensil in this type of establishment.

We know, from the iconography and written sources, that in the baths each one usually carried his house utensil together with a bottle, usually globular, of bronze, glass or ceramic, called aryballos. It was also often accompanied by a pot or bucket so that the pool water could be poured over the body. All of these utensils were often tied together with a chain or ring.

Material: bronze Dimensions: 8,7 x 1,8 cm and 12,7 x 1,7 cm Ref.: MB inv. 9945 and 8605