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IvO 240/241[1] is the catalogue number of a bronze discus awarded to Publius Asklepiades after his victory in the ancient Olympic Games in the year 241 CE. The inscription on the discus reads that he won the pentathlon in the 456th Olympiad and that this object be dedicated to the Zeus.[2][3][4][5] The original currently resides in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia in Greece, but a replica is on display in the Glyptothek Museum in Munich, Germany.
Description edit
This discus follows the trend of most discuses found from this era. It weighs about 9 lbs (4.08 kg), and this specific discus and is about 6 inches in diameter (15.24 cm). It is made of bronze. In general, discuses in the ancient Olympics varied greatly in size and weight, so this discus should not be considered a part of any trend.[6] Common materials for discuses include stone, iron, bronze, and lead, but each material would make the discus weigh very differently.[7] The use of bronze material for this dedication suggests Asklepiades' access to funds because, of these materials, bronze is more expensive.
Purpose and use edit
Bronze discuses were known for their use in the ancient Greek pentathlon. Occasionally this equipment would be offered as votive dedications to the gods for their success in the Olympic Games. These games took place in Olympia.
For the discus portion of the pentathlon, individuals attempted to throw the discus the furthest. Different distances were marked by wooden pegs in the ground.[8] In terms of form for throwing discuses, there was no set form or technique in antiquity that has been recorded.[8]
Publius Asklepiades, a man originating from the polis of Corinth, won the pentathlon in the year 241 AD, and because of his victory, he dedicated a discus to the god Zeus as thanks. Most likely, as with other votive dedications, this artifact was not used for the sport but rather just as a votive dedication.
Although mainly used for sporting events, oftentimes these objects would be offered as votive dedications to the gods. The symbolic nature of a lot of these votive dedications tell modern historians of the nature of the individuals making these dedications.
Votive dedications edit
In general, this artifact demonstrates the dedication of objects to supernatural beings for the victories of individuals in the Olympic games. Although mainly used for sporting events, oftentimes these objects would be offered as votive dedications to the gods. The symbolic nature of a lot of these votive dedications tell modern historians of the nature of the individuals making these dedications.
References edit
- ^ Ditenberger, W.; Purgold, K. (1896). Inschriften von Olympia. Berlin.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "SEG 37-362. Olympia. Bronze Diskos Dedicated to Zeus by Publius Asklepiades, 241 A.D.". Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum. Leiden: Brill. 1987. doi:10.1163/1874-6772_seg_a37_362.
- ^ Aubert, Jean-Jacques; Várhelyi, Zsuzsanna (2005). A Tall Order: Writing the Social History of the Ancient World: Essays in Honor of William V. Harris. Leipzig: Walter de Gruyter. p. 345. ISBN 9783110931419.
- ^ Rotstein, Andrea (2016). Literary History in the Parian Marble. Hellenic Studies Series 68. Washington, DC: Center for Hellenic Studies. Archived from the original on 2017-12-09. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
- ^ Shaus, Gerard; Wenn, Stephen (2007). Onward to the Olympics. Canada: Wilfrid Laurier University Press. pp. 52–53. ISBN 9781554581290.
- ^ Sweet, Waldo E.; Segal, Erich (1987). Sports and Recreation in Ancient Greece. Oxford University Press. pp. 40.
pentathlon ancient greece.
- ^ "Ancient Olympic Events: Penthlon". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
- ^ a b Spivey, Nigel (2004). The Ancient Olympics. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 92.