Pupils use the Ancient Greek
gallery as a resource to
decide what our rich collection
of ceramics can tell us about
life in the past. They then
have the chance to handle
artefacts, learn about Greek
gods and discover Greek
pattern by designing their
own pots.
The interactive guide
above
describes
the
Greek
artefacts
that
might
be
handled during the session. (Flash
plugin
required).
The
Pentathlon
and
the Ancient
Greek
Olympic
Games. The
Pentathlon
was
made
up
of five
different
events
and
took
place
on the
afternoon
of
day
two
of
the
ancient
Greek
Olympic
Games.
If
one
athlete
won
the
first
three
events
-
discus,
javelin
and
jumping
-
the
final
two
events,
running
and
wrestling,
were cancelled.
Discus
Throwing
This
was the
first of
the five
events.
To ensure
fairness,
three official
discuses
were kept
at Olympia
and we
believe
that throwers
made a
three-quarter
turn before
throwing.
Most
surviving
ancient
discuses
are
made
from
bronze.
Javelin
Throwing
Javelins
were
made
from
elder
wood
and
were
made
to
be
about
the
height
of
the
athlete.
Athletic
javelins
were
made
lighter
than
military
ones,
to
throw
for
distance.
Javelins
were
thrown
using
a
leather
thong
wrapped
around
the
shaft.
This
would
unwind
to
make
the
shaft
spin
and
ensure
a
steadier
flight.
Long
Jump
We
believe
that
the
long
jump
was
a
standing
jump,
using
two
weights
called
halteres,
These
halteres
would
be
made
from
stone
or
metal,
probably
lead.
The
style
of
the
weights
changed
with
time.
Pegs
in
the
ground
marked
previous
jumps
in
the
competition.
The
long
jump
was
often
accompanied
by music.
Running
If
there
were
no
winner
after
the
first
three
events,
the
next
would
be
running.
This
would
usually
be
a
sprint,
one
or
two
lengths
of
the
stadium.
There
was
a
starting
block
of
grooved
stone
and
the
athletes
stood
with
arms
stretched
forward,
one
foot
in
front
of
the
other.
False
starts
were
punished
by
flogging.
Reaching
the
turning
post
could
cause
collisions,
fouling
and
cheating
during
the turn.
Wrestling
Wrestling
was
the
last
event.
The
wrestlers
were
covered
in oil
so it
was hard
for
them
to get
a grip
on each
other.
If
an
athlete's
back
or
shoulders
touched
the
ground,
it
was
a "fall".
Three
falls
won
the
fight.
Fights
went
on
until
there
was
a
winner.
Refereeing
was
easy,
as
sand
from
the
ground
showed
if
shoulders
or
back
had
touched.
