Attic black figure kylix with depiction of a runner
The tondo in the center of the vessel features a naked athlete running to the right turning his head to the left. The large stride of the figure and the dynamic movement of the hands indicate participation in a speed race, the stadion or diaulos. According to Philostratus (Gymnasticus, 32) the stadion runners moved their arms vigorously in order to achieve a greater opening of their legs, “οἷον πτερούμενοι ὑπὸ τῶν χειρῶν” (as if their hands were giving them wings).
Dromos (foot-race) was the oldest event of the Olympic Games. Homer (Iliad 23, 240-249) mentions it among the events of the burial games organized by the Achaeans in honor of Patroclus.
- Athens, National Archaeological Museum, inv. n. A 533
- 570 – 560 BC
- H. 0.10 m. Rim diam. 0.223 m.
- Clay
- Provenance: Corinth
Bibliography
- Beazley, J. D. (1956). Attic Black-Figure Vase-Painters, Oxford: Clarendon Press.
- Brijder, Siana, H, (1983). Cups I and Komast Cups, Amsterdam: Allard Pierson Museum.
- Callipolitis-Feytmans, D. (1986). Les coupes attiques à figures noires du VIe siècle Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum. Grèce, fasc. 3. Athènes: Musée National.
- Gardiner, E. N. (1903), Notes on the Greek Foot Race, JHS - The Journal of Hellenic Studies, 23, pp. 261-291.
- Kaltsas, N. (Εd.), (2004). Agon. National Archaeological Museum 15 July – 31 October 2004, Athens: Ministry of Culture.
