A closer look
The first historically documented instance of "mooning" was far less of a frat-boy prank and far more of a catastrophic international incident. According to the ancient historian Josephus, around 20 AD, a Roman soldier stationed on a portico during the Jewish Passover festival decided to express his utter contempt for the locals. He lifted his tunic, bent over, and loudly made "a noise in keeping with his posture." This juvenile insult deeply offended the religious pilgrims, sparking a massive riot that resulted in thousands of trampling deaths.
