Greek Athletics

The Wisconsin Cardinal reeently contained the following interosting extract fi-om fl leeture on (root Life: "Athletiics amoug the Greoks had two aims. Ainong Donan peoples the sole object was to barden the bodv and f or purposes of military training. The Ionians had the further object of developing grace, 'beauty and heal'tb. "There wero two places of exeecise, the palaestra, or private training schools for boys and the gymnasia or public exercise buildings for adulis. The f a vori te exercise was of the Ftntaüikm, which consisted of contesta in leaping, running, wrestling, Ehrowing the javelin and throwing the discus, boxing and pancratlon, a sort of rough and tumble serlmmage wero also practiced, as well as ball playinsf, two varlatíons ou the modern 'tug of war,' to spinning, and 'five stones,' the arcestor of the modem jack stones. The leaping was done with leaden weights held In the hands to steatly one, and the hlghest record made was 55 feet which must have been foï hop, step and jump. The second contest winners afteivvards running in the fiuals. The discus, a circular convex stone weighing about four pounds, was thrown Crom a Sligñt ciovation. and some marvelons records were n.ade. Ia thrawlng the javelin tbe Greeks used one with a very sborl kandie and long metal pojnt. In wrestiinj;' elugging was forbltlden but butting with the head apparcíntly was not. After a man liad Jiis opponont down, a rougn and tumble flght 'ïuuüi or.sue 'i which one of the contestants was oci'asionnlly killed. Tbe prlze was awarded only to the winner in three of the five contests, preferabiy running, wrestling and throwing th discus. The contests began at noon so as to close before sundown."'