Javelin throw

A pentathlon event that has its origins in the ekebolon, the ancient hand-thrown weapon used in hunting and at war. The athlete’s javelin consisted in a straight wooden shaft 1.5 to 2m long, corresponding approximately to the athlete’s height. Contrary to the ranged weapon, it did not feature a metal tip and, for safety reasons, lacked pointed ends. At the centre of gravity of the javelin shaft, the athlete secured a leather strap around 0.4m long, the so-called ankyle, a loop that improved the distance of the throw. He inserted his index and middle finger into the loop, pulled it and, after taking the proper position, hurled the javelin, thereby imparting greater impetus to the flight.

The event took place in the stadium, in front of an oblong triangular space within which the javelin had to fall, otherwise the attempt would be considered invalid. The javelin-thrower, after fixing the ankyle to his hand, started his run-up holding the javelin in a horizontal position next to his head. As he approached the balbis, the fixed point from which the javelin would be thrown, he slowed down, turned gently his head and body and threw the javelin as far as he could. The spot at which the javelin landed was marked with a peg or a small pit and then its distance from the balbis was measured.