Bronze Statuette of Athletic Spartan Girl

These statuettes are considered Spartan manufacture dating from the 6th century B.C.,[1] and they were used as decorative attachments to ritual vessels as votive dedications, such as a cauldron,[2] suggested by the bronze rivet on their feet.

The typical characteristics of Laconian bronzes are slender bodies with unproportional muscular legs, arched and swelling thighs, immature chests in female figures, and long faces with strongly marked facial features.

This is the type of athletic costume especially for participants in the Heraean Games,[4] the earliest recorded women's running competition held quadrennially in Olympic stadium.

One speculation proposed that the costume is adapted from a light garment worn by men in hot weather or while performing hard labor.

Serving as supplements to those ancient literary sources, roughly forty bronze statuettes dating from the Archaic period are found showing young Spartan women dancing or running (including the two discussed ahead).