Attic black-figure aryballos with athletes practicing in the palaestra
On both sides of the vase, scenes of young and mature bearded athletes are depicted practicing in the palaestra.
In the center of the first side, a discus-thrower is shown holding the disc in his right hand, ready to throw it. On the right and on the left of him, two young athletes are seen. The first is depicted just before he begins to gain speed for his jump, lifting spherical dumbbells (halteres) with both arms stretched forward. The second is shown at the moment of jumping, and he is moving the dumbbells backwards.
On the second side, on the right, a javelin-thrower (acontist) is depicted at the start of the throwing process with one end of the javelin resting on the ground and the fingers of his left hand passing through to the javelin thong (ankyle).
On the left, a trainer, who wears a himation, guides the trainees waving his rod in his right hand. In the centre, the clothes of the athletes are resting on a stool (diphrookladia).
The aryballos was a container for the oil which the athletes applied to their bodies. Since it was an essential equipment of sporting events, it often depicted scenes of sports and athletes.
- Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens
- Archaeological Collection of Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens, 9 Melidoni Str., inv. n. Α11698
- Late 6th c. BC
- Η. 0.73 m. Max. diam 0.63 m. Diam. of rim 0.31 m.
- Clay
- Provenance: Athens. Rescue excavation at Lenorman and Constantinopoleos Str. (1984-1985). Grave 9.
Bibliography
- Beazley, J. D, (1927/1928) Aryballos, BSA 29, 187-215, pl. 3-4.
- Boardman, J. (1974). Athenian Black- Figure Vases, pp. 190. New York: Oxford University Press.
- Miller, St. G., (2004). Ancient Greek Athletics, New Haven & London: Yale University Press
- Τζάχου-Αλεξανδρή, Ο. (Επιμ.), (1989). Το Πνεύμα και το Σώμα. Οι Αθλητικοί Αγώνες στην Αρχαία Ελλάδα, Αθήνα: Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού / Ελληνικό Τμήμα I.C.O.M.
