Classics 263: Athletics of Greek and Roman Worlds

Achilles

Greek hero of the Trojan War; featured in the athletic funeral games of Patroclus.

Agamemnon

Leader of the Greek forces at Troy in Homer's Iliad.

archaeology

The study of human history through the recovery of material remains.

aryballos

Small ancient Greek ceramic vessel used for holding oil by athletes.

Bronze Age

Prehistoric period characterized by the use of bronze, c. 3000-1200 BCE.

bull-leaping

Minoan ritual sport involving acrobatics over a charging bull.

Bybon

Sixth-century BCE stone weight inscribed with lifting achievements.

diachronic

Studying phenomena or language across historical time periods.

emic

An approach to studying a culture from the perspective of an insider.

endonym

A name used by a group for themselves rather than an external label.

epigraphy

The study of ancient inscriptions engraved on hard surfaces.

etymology

The study of the origin and historical development of words.

funeral games

Athletic competitions held to honor a deceased prominent figure.

gymnos

Ancient Greek term meaning naked or nude, typical of athletic training.

Hellas

The ancient Greek name for Greece.

Hellenes

The ancient Greek term for Greeks.

Hellenistic

Period of Greek history from Alexander's death to the Roman Empire.

Homer

Ancient Greek epic poet credited with the Iliad and the Odyssey.

inscription

Text carved or written onto a durable surface like stone or metal.

konis

Dust or powder used by ancient Greek wrestlers to improve grip.

lexicography

The compiling, editing, and study of dictionaries.

Milo

Famous ancient Greek wrestler from Kroton known for legendary strength.

mythology

A collection of traditional stories concerning gods and heroes.

nike

Ancient Greek goddess of victory; also means victory itself.

primary evidence

First-hand contemporary sources from the period being studied.

secondary evidence

Later analyses or interpretations of primary sources.

sociology

The study of the development and functioning of human society.

stlengis

A strigil; a curved scraper used by athletes to remove oil and dirt.

synchronic

Studying a language or society at a given point in time without history.

etiology

The study of causes, origins, or reasons for things.

hero cult

Religious worship directed toward deceased legendary heroes.

Minoan

Bronze Age Aegean civilization centered on the island of Crete.

Mycenaean

Late Bronze Age civilization on the Greek mainland, c. 1600-1100 BCE.

agon

Ancient Greek term for a contest, struggle, or competition.

arete

Ancient Greek concept of excellence, virtue, and fulfilling potential.

athletes

Individuals who compete in sports or physical contests.

athlon

A prize awarded to the winner of an athletic contest.

Burckhardt, J.

Swiss historian who studied the cultural history of Greece and the Renaissance.

gamification

The application of game elements to non-game contexts.

Huizinga, J.

Dutch historian who wrote Homo Ludens about play as a cultural element.

ludic

Relating to play, games, or recreational activities.

Nguyen, C. T.

Philosopher who writes about games, art, and the aesthetics of play.

Wittgenstein, L.

Philosopher who introduced the concept of family resemblance for games.

akoniti

Winning a wrestling match without getting any dust on oneself; an easy win.

apoxyomenos

Statue type showing an athlete scraping oil from his body with a strigil.

diaulos

A two-length footrace in the ancient Olympic stadium.

diskobolos

A discus thrower; famous statue type by Myron.

diskos

A heavy circular plate thrown for distance in ancient athletic games.

dolichos

A long-distance footrace in ancient Greek games.

dromos

A running track or course in ancient stadiums.

halma

The long jump event in the ancient Greek pentathlon.

halteres

Stone or metal jumping weights used in the ancient long jump.

Hellanodikai

The judges or umpires of the ancient Olympic Games.

himantes

Leather thongs used as boxing wraps by ancient Greek fighters.

hoplitodromos

A footrace run in heavy armor by ancient Greek athletes.

kampter

The turning post or marker at the end of a race track.

palaistra

An ancient Greek wrestling school or training facility.

pale

The ancient Greek sport of wrestling.

pankration

A brutal ancient combat sport combining boxing and wrestling.

poda para poda... apite!

Ancient Greek starting command meaning Foot by foot... go!

pyx

The ancient Greek sport of boxing.

skamma

The dug-up pit used for wrestling, long jump, or combat events.

stadion

The principal ancient Greek footrace and the stadium track itself.

triakter

A wrestler who has thrown an opponent three times to win the match.

Alkibiades

Athenian statesman and general who famously competed in the chariot race.

hippikos agon

Equestrian events held at ancient Greek athletic festivals.

hippodrome

An ancient Greek stadium for horse and chariot racing.

keles

A horse-riding race event in ancient Greek athletic games.

keryx

A herald or official who made announcements and presided at games.

synoris

A two-horse chariot race event in ancient games.

tethrippon

A four-horse chariot race, the most prestigious equestrian event.

pincian

Referring to the Pincian Hill in Rome, associated with elite villas.

honorand

A person who is being honored or receiving an award.

kalos

Ancient Greek for beautiful, often used in epigrams praising youths.

Pindar

Ancient Greek lyric poet who composed victory odes for athletic champions.

Archaic

Period of Greek history from c. 800 to 480 BCE.

black-figure

Ancient Greek pottery style with black figures on a red background.

Classical

Period of Greek history from 480 to 323 BCE.

Iron/Dark Age

Period of Greek history following the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization.

Pausanias

Ancient Greek traveler and geographer who wrote a descriptive Guide of Greece.

red-figure

Ancient Greek pottery style with red figures on a black background.

relief (sculptural)

Sculptural technique where figures project from a flat background.

stele (pl. stelae)

An upright stone slab used as a monument or gravestone.

tondo

A circular painting or relief artwork.

Alpheios

Major river in the Peloponnese flowing past Olympia.

altar

A structure used for making sacrifices to the gods.

Altis

The sacred grove and central sanctuary precinct at Olympia.

Elis

The city-state that controlled and organized the ancient Olympic Games.

gymnasion

Public facility for physical and intellectual education of youth.

Kladeos

River bordering the western side of the sanctuary at Olympia.

kotinos

A wreath of wild olive leaves awarded to Olympic victors.

Kronos (Mount)

Hill overlooking the sanctuary of Olympia.

Olympia

Sanctuary in Elis hosting the ancient Olympic Games.

Pelopion

Shrine dedicated to the hero Pelops at Olympia.

Pelops

Mythical king of Pisa and hero associated with the founding of Olympia.

Pheidias

Renowned classical Greek sculptor who created the statue of Zeus at Olympia.

rites of passage

Rituals marking transitions between life stages or social statuses.

sacrifice (religious)

Offering ritual gifts, animals, or foods to the gods.

sanctuary

A sacred precinct dedicated to one or more deities.

temenos

A piece of land marked off as sacred to a god.