IMPORTANCE

SITE

OLYMPIAD

RULES

ATHLETIC EVENTS

Boxing

Javelin

Pentathlon

Discus

Equipment

Rules

Characteristics

Jumping

Running

Equestrian contests

Pankration

Wrestling

Messengers/Trumpeters

OLYMPIC VICTORS

ART

The discus-thrower gear

Archaeological findings indicate that the discus was originally made of stone, and later of iron, lead but mostly of bronze. The discus, consisted of two convex curves that had a large circumference and the same holds true today. It ranged from 17 to 32 cm in diameter, and weighed from 1.3 to 6.6 kilograms. However, larger discs have also been found that probably served as votive objects, like the one offered by Publius in Olympia, or that often had engraved decorations bearing athletic representations, like the "Berlin" discus.

Pausanias mentioned that in order for the discus-throwers to compete under the same conditions, three equal-sized discuses were kept in the Sikyonian Treasure, in Olympia.

 

Topography:
Short description of the monuments at ancient Olympia

3D reconstructions:
Some of the most important buildings in ancient Olympia rendered in three-dimensions.

VRML:
3D reconstruction of the Temple of Zeus in ancient Olympia.

Other games:
Short reference on other famous contests in ancient Greece

In the first person:
Young Ariston shares his experience in the Olympic Games

Olympic victors:
Database of the ancient Olympic victors based on each athletic event and each Olympiad

Specimen sources

Bibliography