SPORTS IN ANCIENT GREECE - PART 2

General.

If the reader-scholar makes some comparisons with today's data, he will find that many states that want to play a leading role in the world chessboard create political polarization, not only with equipment and the economy, but also with sports (SUPER sports).

As an antidote to excessive competition, the Greeks had "measure". The meaning of this word, which they expressed with the harmony of the body, with the virtue of the soul and with the wisdom of the mind, is indeed an element of education, which today is acceptable from every perspective of modern life. The aesthetics of Greek measure have fortunately been preserved in our works of art, as well as in the texts of authors.

 Unfortunately, the ancient Greeks - as well as the moderns - often violated the rule of harmony and measure.

Gymnastics was offered privately and publicly. In centralized Macedonia and Sparta, the gymnasiums were public, since education was a state affair. In Athens and other democratic cities we find public and private sports facilities.

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Source: INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN THE GREEK WORLD Sotiris G. Giatsis

Article edited by: George Bakalopoulos, Graduate of the Department of Physical Education & Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.