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Greek Culture CLST 330 > Greek Athletics > Flashcards

Flashcards in Greek Athletics Deck (20)
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1
Q

Attitude toward body

A

Iliad description of disabled: ugliest man, bandy-legged, lame of one foot, hunched shoulders, little hair on head, hated man, shrill voice, disgusted

2
Q

Kalokagathia

A
  • 2 concepts: physical and moral excellence, were strictly related and almost synonyms
  • Places for physical training (gymnasia) were also the places for education and culture
    • Gymnasium – from gymnos, “naked”
3
Q

Origins of Greek Athletics Bronze Age

A
  • All male citizens, speaking same language, religious beliefs
  • Knossos Bull-leaping is a key ritual in the Minoan civilization (Bronze Age) for religious purposes

-Santorini boxers

4
Q

Early Athletic Games in Homer

A

Iliad 23 – funerary games for Patroklos

- Achilles organizes games for Patroklos’ funeral (who was killed 			during the Trojan War)
- 8 events (Chariot races, foot races, etc.)
- Material prizes: tripods, cauldrons, metal, oxen, women
- Homer, Odyssey 8 – contests among the Phaeacians
- Boxing, wrestling, racing, discus

-Nike crowning athletes – wreath in hair

5
Q

Origin of Athletics Modern approaches

A
  • It is the consequence of Greek “natural agnostic attitude”
  • It is an instinctive need
  • By-product of work
  • Ritual practice, tied to funerary cults
  • “Ritual sacrifice of energy”
  • Introduction to war
6
Q

Culture of Competition

A

-From the very beginning, athletic competition in Greece is an inclusive and social practice, involving mediation and respect of shared rules

7
Q

Basic Features of Greek Athletics

A
  • Highly organized
  • Fundamental cultural and identity role
  • Contrast and meeting the need to stand out in society
8
Q

Gods of Gymnasium

A
  • Hercules (Strength and physical training)
  • Hermes (logos, intellectual training)
  • Eros (philia, love and solidarity)
  • Agon (competition)
9
Q

Ancient and Modern Athletics

A
  • Complex training and dietary programs for athletes
    • Epictetus: can’t drink cold water, wine, eat desserts, must exercise in heat and cold, etc.
  • Contests were numerous
  • Equestrian contests were accessible to the elite only
  • The other contests were in theory open to all citizens, but not many could actually train intensively and full-time
  • There were mentions of great athletes of humble origins, but they were probably exceptions at least in the archaic age
10
Q

List of victories and prizes of the wrestler Theaios

A
  • Panhellenic victories at Nemea, Isthmia, and a hoped-for one at Olympia
  • Bronze shield
  • Oil-filled amphorae
  • Silver wine bowls
  • Woolen clothes
  • Bronze prizes from sanctuary of Zeus
11
Q

Other (common) prizes

A
  • Exceptional status among citizens
  • Gifts from the city and sums of money
  • Lifetime meals in the city Prytaneion
  • Honor seats at festivals and games
  • Honorary statues
  • Chorus ode to victory (6-5th C)
  • Athletes compared to heroes after their death
  • Great victory could be used to boost their political career
  • Could justify tyranny
12
Q

Star athletes of Greek world

A

Milon: most successful wrestler and lead army of Kroton in battle against Sybaris

Phayllos: great jumper and took part of battle of Salamis with his won trireme

13
Q

Rules

A
  • Rules against excessive violence, bribery and foul play
  • Referees and organizing committee could sanction, fine and DQ’s
  • At Olympia, statues of Zeus were established out of the fines as a constant warning to athletes
14
Q

Periodos Games

A

4 events - chart in notes

15
Q

The Olympics

A
  • 776 BC first celebrations of the Olympic games according to Hippias of Elis
  • Chronology is debated, but the Greeks agreed that they were the first and most important Panhellenic games and were chosen as the general dating system of the Greek world
  • Under the control of the small town of Elis; other poleis attempted to take control of the games
16
Q

Olympic Programme

A

Day 1: swearing in, speeches, boys games

Day 2: Chariot/horse races, then discus, long jump, etc. and funerary games

Day 3: foot races and banquet

Day 4: Wrestling, boxing, and mixture

Day 5: Procession of winner

***Full program in notes

17
Q

Money Games

A
  • Other then the Periodos games, organized by poleis and other subject
  • Included athletic, musical and poetic games
  • Prizes were valuable objects and later money
18
Q

Diplomacy of the Games

A
  • Sacred heralds, “treaty-bearers” or delegates traveled to announce the “secret truces” and invite participation
  • Delegate-recievers, theorodokoi
  • City reps at the games (theoroi)
19
Q

Training spaces

A

Gymnasia- general training with changing areas and baths

Palaistrai- training areas for wrestling/combat sports often with rooms for school classes

20
Q

Athletics for women

A
  • Physical training insisted for women
  • Races and trials of strength for females believing both mom and dad should be strong for a more vigorous offspring

-Atalanta: virgin huntress unwilling to marry and loved by Meleager