Book explores the diverse history of bathing and swimming

The history of bathing and swimming is explored in Bernd Brunner's new book, "Abtauchen und sich treiben lassen" (Dive In and Float). The work delves into the ancient human connection with water, referencing theories like Max Westenhöfer's 1920s hypothesis of early humans being aquatic beings. Evidence of early aquatic practices includes ancient artwork depicting people swimming and inscriptions from Ancient Egypt detailing swimming as part of royal education.

Brunner's book highlights historical accounts of swimming and bathing across different cultures. In Ancient Rome, swimming was a vital military skill and bathing a leisure activity for elites, as noted by Seneca's observations of bathhouse life. During the Middle Ages, swimming remained valued, with figures like Charlemagne known for their skills. A 15th-century "Knight's Mirror" even stipulated swimming and diving abilities as essential for a complete man.

The book also touches upon the shift in attitudes during the early modern period, where swimming faced prohibitions due to fears of infection and perceived immodesty. Despite these restrictions, the first swimming instruction manuals emerged. Everard Digby's 1587 book, "De Arte Natandi," published shortly after Cambridge University banned swimming, aimed to elevate the skill, emphasizing its benefits for life-saving and health. Illustrations from this era show various methods of floating and moving in water.

"Abtauchen und sich treiben lassen" further emphasizes the lost diversity of swimming techniques. Brunner points out that styles like breaststroke were not always dominant. An 18th-century German textbook by educator GutsMuths listed dozens of swimming methods, placing breaststroke in a secondary role and showcasing a broader historical repertoire of aquatic movement.