Petros was the son of an actor. He grew up on a farm just outside Athens.

He was always a good runner and jumper.

When he was seventeen years old he took part in his first Pentathlon.

The Pentathlon

The Pentathlon was five different events.

The Pentathlon took place on Day Two of the ancient Greek Olympic Games. All events took place on the same afternoon.

If one athlete won the first three events - discus, javelin and jumping - the final two events, running and wrestling, were cancelled.

Discus Throwing

Most surviving ancient discuses are made from bronze.

To ensure fairness, three official discuses were kept at Olympia.

This was the first of the five events held on the afternoon of the second day of the Games.

We do not believe that throwers made more than a three-quarter turn before throwing.

Throwing the discus was not Petros's favourite event.

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.

Petros was quite good at this event.

Long jumping

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.

Earlier jumps in the competition were marked by pegs in the ground.

The long jump was often accompanied by music.

Petros usually came first in this event and it was his favourite one.

back to top

Running

If there was 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.

back to top

False starts were punished by flogging.

Reaching the turning post could cause collisions, fouling and cheating during the turn.

As Petros was very fast he usually reached the post first and avoided being fouled. He usually won the running.

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.

Refereeing was easy, as sand from the ground showed if shoulders or back had touched.

Fights went on until there was a winner.

Petros did not like this event because he was small.

back to top

Petros has competed in seven Olympic games. and in the last one, he came second in the Pentathlon.

Between Games, he trains by competing in events in other City States. He has won many prizes.

He earns a living by running messages for the army. This also keeps him fit.

back to top