Ancient
Greece
Like many of the Museum's
history teaching classes,
children are give the
opportunity to handle
a range of ancient artefacts
for themselves and the
Greek session is no exception.
During their time at
the Museum, children
can handle a of variety
of objects and will also
be given a fascinating
incite into the origins
of the Pentathlon in
the ancient Greek Olympic
Games.
(Sessions
are subject to change
and have limited availability
so be sure to book well
in advance).
For more information
about the content of
the teaching session
please read on…
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
