Many did so for its artistic value, while others did so in order to commemorate an important event or to honor their particular deity. As well, whole groups often tattooed themselves with similar symbols in order to show their group identity. Tattoos where also seen as a permanent talisman that could protect the wearer from evil or give them strength. In some cultures, tattoos were also used as a form of medicine. For example, in some cultures it was thought that tattooing sore joints might ease the pain of arthritis.
Tattoos are a very transient form of art.
Without the ability to study the actual tattoos, it can be difficult for historians to discern if, and how, a culture practiced the art of tattooing. For historians, the main source of information on tattoos is written records and drawings. The Roman record primarily talks about how tattooing was practiced in other cultures and how the Romans came to associate the practice of tattooing as a barbarian trait. Consequently, it was deemed unseemly for a Roman to sport a tattoo. Therefore, the Romans primarily used tattoos to mark slaves and condemned criminals.