The Stadium was appropriated to the exhibition of those games denominated Gymnastic; and they consisted of five different exercises, viz.
1st, Running, or Foot-racing.
2d, Leaping.
3d, Wrestling.
4th, Throwing the Discus; and,
5th, Boxing, or Pancratia.
The FOOT-RACE was the most ancient, and claimed a pre-eminence over the other sports; the Olympiads being distinguished by the name of the victor who obtained the prize in this game.—But as our subject is particularly connected with this branch of the ancient gymnastics, we shall treat it more fully in the sequel.
Leaping consisted in projecting the body by a sudden spring, in which the competitors endeavoured to surpass each other in the length of their leap. Their bodies were poised and impelled forwards by weights of lead suspended in their hands; and it is said, that Phaulus of Cretona acquired such proficiency in this exercise as to leap fifty-two feet.
Wrestling.—This art required both strength and agility. The wrestlers were matched by lot; and the prize belonged to him who had thrice thrown his adversary on the ground. They rubbed their bodies with oil to elude the grasp, and to prevent too profuse perspiration.
Throwing the Discus.—This sport consisted in throwing a globular mass of iron, brass, or stone, under the hand, in the manner of the English quoit. It tried the strength of the arms; and the length of the cast decided the claims of the competitors.