They’re towering, sculpted from marble, and revered as paragons of male perfection, the statues of ancient Greek gods and heroes like Zeus and Hercules.
But while their chiseled muscles and commanding poses have inspired awe for centuries, one detail has sparked curiosity, and more than a few jokes: why are their genitals so small?
It’s a question TikTok creator Ruby Reign (@rubysaysstuff) tackled in a viral video on her now-private account that’s garnered over 3.5 million views.
After noticing the modest proportions on so many statues, Reign went digging through history to uncover the reason behind this ancient artistic choice, and what she found surprised modern viewers.
“Have you ever wondered why these ancient Greek statues have colossal muscular physiques, and yet a tiny package?” she asked in her post. “Well, I have. So I did some digging.”
Reign discovered that in ancient Greece, small genitalia were considered a sign of virtue. She cites a quote from famed Athenian playwright Aristophanes, who once described the ideal male form as having “a gleaming chest, bright skin, broad shoulders, strong buttocks, and a tiny penis.” The reasoning? Smaller genitalia symbolized self-control, discipline, and intellectual refinement.
By contrast, large penises were viewed negatively, associated with barbarism, gluttony, and unrestrained lust, Artsy details. Reign illustrated this with images from ancient Greek pottery, including depictions of satyrs, mythological creatures known for their rowdy behavior and oversized anatomy. In these artworks, exaggerated genitalia were used to represent characters who were foolish, chaotic, or uncivilized.
“What I wasn’t aware of,” Reign explains, “was that the Greeks often presented their enemies (like the Egyptians, satyrs, and even comedic fools) as having large appendages. So it was quite a negative thing to have, which is obviously very different from today.”
In a follow-up video, she expands further: “A smaller package was considered a sign of civility, virtue, and moderation. A larger one was a marker of indulgence and animalistic behavior. It’s fascinating how our cultural ideals have shifted.”
The TikTok sparked a wave of reactions. Some viewers were amused, while others found the insight refreshing. “I think I’m starting to like the people of Ancient Greece,” one person commented. Another joked: “Thank God I wasn’t born back then, I’d have been labeled a demon.”
Reign concluded by reminding her audience that ideals of beauty and masculinity are not fixed, they’re entirely shaped by culture.
“It just shows how much of this is a social construct,” she said. “So don’t beat yourself up over what society says is ideal, because it’s always changing.”