History of the Peloponnesian War

And they were the first who stripped themselves, and undressing in public, smeared themselves with grease, [*]( The rude original of the κήρωμα in later times.) in their gymnastic exercises. And formerly even at the Olympic games the combatants contended with girdles round their middle; and it is not many years since it ceased to be so. Nay even now amongst some of the barbarians, and especially those of Asia, prizes for boxing and wrestling are given, and they wear girdles when they contend for them.