Final answer:
The treatment of men who appeared especially strong after being stripped varied historically: they might be given prominence in military campaigns, subjected to harsher treatment, or play specific roles in rituals or labor.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the men are stripped, various historical texts and art works show us that those who appear especially strong are often treated differently based on the context. For instance, strong men might be placed at the front of an army because their strength and endurance were valued in military campaigns, as suggested by the quote indicating that only a fraction of an army would reach its destination with the strong leading. In other scenarios, like those depicted in Roman texts and art, the strong might face a harsher reality or have specific roles assigned in rituals or slave labor.
In ancient artwork and literature, the strong often symbolize victory and dominance. Victorious warriors would strip their defeated enemies of armor and clothing which symbolized their triumph. The defeated warriors, who were strong, would sometimes be sacrificed in rituals. These practices were common across various ancient cultures, and the treatment of strong individuals could vary from being honored to being exploited or sacrificed.