Rome, c. 1st century Pliny the Elder (23-79) in Naturalis Historia tried to gather the scientific knowledge of Antiquity and, among other things, explained how expensive the sweat of athletes was. And it wasn't about the hard workouts that athletes had to do to get victory and solemnity, that is, what the Roman writer said should not be taken in a figurative sense, but literally. Pliny does not mention an exact price, but in ancient Rome the sweat of athletes and gladiators was sold face to face.

Once upon a time, Greeks and Romans did not use soap. Once immersed in the water, various oils and ointments were administered to the skin, and to eliminate the old accumulated dirt and new detergents, if no water was used, a type of pissor called strigil was used by the Romans.

The athletes frequently used the metal tool. Before competing or training, oil was applied to the skin to condition the skin and protect it from minor impacts. At the end of the session, the body was rubbed with strives and remains of oil, sweat, dust and skin were removed. As athletes and gladiators were admired models of strength and courage, those responsible for gyms and paddles came up with the idea that stricken fingernails could become a benefit. Thus, as souvenir salespeople, at the entrance of the circus there were small stalls of sale of the pasty substance that the athletes had thrown in small and expensive doses (fat from dead animals in combat was also sold, at cheaper prices). Sweat stored the energy of its original owner and, therefore, had the ability to cure numerous physical problems and diseases, cosmetic properties, as well as being aphrodisiac. Beyond the placebo effect, Pliny does not provide evidence of the efficacy of the alleged miracle medicine.

To take the rancid sweat of others, to flush the teeth with urine... although many of the hygiene habits of the past seem to us at least dubious, you don't have to go until ancient times to find more examples. Ten years ago, in a well-known Internet auction house, the sale offer of the t-shirt “Beckham has signed and sudado (sic)” was published, which started in 4,500 euros. In 2007, the t-shirts of the tennis players Shanghai, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick were sold at a price of 1,100 euros at auctions. The suit worn by Roger Federer a few months ago reached only 1.011 euros, although presenter Jason He promoted it perfectly: “It keeps its natural smell and does not pass through the laundry.”