The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-05

strength In his hands and wrists that no one
could move his little finger. He could hold
a pomegranate uninjured in his hand while
his antagonist endeavored TO wrest 1t from
his grasp. Theagenes OF Thasos, the winner
of fourteen hundred crowns for boxing and
the pancratium, when only nine years OF
ket place to his home the bronze statue Of a
god Melancomas stood two days with out
stretched limbs. and Polydamas with one
up the widest steer by his hind leg. and
overcame lion Polydamas is said to have
sustained for some time falling grotto but
Discus throwing was later and more re-
fined form of hurting the stone. In Homeric
times. and even az olympia; a stone or mass ma 3
was held by a leathern throng, swung in
circle and hurled as far as possible A cir
at least as early as the beginning OF the
fifth century. A standard weight must, OF
course. be assumed for the great games: A
discus now in the British museum. which
seems to have been used, weighs eleven
pounds nine ounces; but whether this was the
standard weight or not is not definitely
slight elevation Of limited circumference
where he could have secure foothold, and
was prevented from running; then. with a
movement of the whole body, he hurled the
discus as far as possible. The value Of the
body movement was recognized by the sculp-
Il
cobolus," and is understood by the modern
athlete when he swings the hammer, or
even when he makes makes; q drive at golf I,,; As
again, is said to have thrown the discus
ninety-five feet.
If In the preceding events the specialists
found his opportunity in the pentathlon.
This consisted of jumping. discus and spear
throwing, running and wrestling. 1t re-
in harmonious development, and produced,
according to Aristotle. the "most beautiful
athletes Jumping h ,p Of Wnch var,oas 5
the great games as the long jump. In both
cases the athlete carries in his hands the
halteres (stones shaped somewhat like the
modern dumb-belD, with which assistance
the jump was materially increased. The dis
lance was marked by pickax and measured
athletes in this eventeffty-five feet jumped
by Phayllus Of Croton, and ffty-two feet by
Choniis, recorded without dispute by several
more more than a' single jump was involved.
AS the worlds record for the running long
Jump in modern times Is only twenty-three
the "hop. step and Jump" (stin practiced by
the Greek YOUTH may have been the kind
Of jump which occurred in the Olympic
games. If this were the case, the record OF
| Phayllus would not be incredible.
A PASSION FOR ATHLETICS.
| How many pilgrims there were is, of
course difficult to estimate The seats of the
| stadium would have provided for some 10000,
and, though only men were admitted. 1t was
| often difficult to find a place. 1t was natural
| that so large and varied an assemblage
| should have furnished some of the features
| of a great fair or exposition. Merchants
found ready sale for their wares and there
were side-shows for the amusement and in
struction of the people Poets recited their
latest productions historians read their
chronicles and philosophers discoursed upon
| nature and the unseen world. Such a gath
ering could not have but a powerful effect
| in Strengthening the unity of people scat
tered far and wide over the ancient world
recognized In one another members Of the
/ same race.
But the chief, absorbing interest of the
| festival centered in the athletic games
Lucian, I'm his "Anacharsis," well expresses
the passion for these contests. The Scythiar
and Anarcharsis expresses his surprise that
selves in seeing men batter each other with
blows, and throw each other to the ground
apes We're k %e at HeSa
| 1sthmian or Panathenaic games, you would
see in what took PLACE that We are not wrons
could not on my honor give you any idea
| OF the pleasure of being seated in the midst
| OF enthusiastic audience and seeing the
bravery Of the athletes. the beauty of their
velous agility, their interchangeable force
their daring, their rivalry. their invinciblt
| courage, their incessant efforts for victory
I am sure that you would shout and applaud
and not cease to shower. them with praise:
The Hellanodicae, or judges, Were ten in
number, selected by lot from the ten tribe:
of Ellis. They entered upon their Office ter
| months before the festival. They were frs
| schooled in the traditions and regulations oil
| the games, then studied the capacities OF
| the athletes while they were still in train.
| ing. They had to decide upon the quaiifica-
! lions of the contestants. make up the pro-
| gramme Of the games, supervise the prepare
| ton of the scene of contest, act as judges ir
! the games and distribute the prizes. 1t was q
| position of honor and distinction. They
| came to the contest clad in purple robes, ano
| races in the stadium or hippodrome. They
| seem to have subdivided the function OF
| Judging, but at least three were present Il
| judge in every contest Their decisions were
| usually final, but an appeal might be carried
| to the Olympic senate. They were assisted
| in the execution of their commands by q
large and well-organized body Of police.