Inscriptions as Evidence for Greek Sport

Abstract

Concentrating on Greek sport in Hellenistic (323-31 BCE) and Roman (31 BCE-476 CE) times, this chapter demonstrates the enormous evidential value of inscriptions by discussing four themes: (1) the ancient gymnasion as the foundation of mass sport, (2) the agonistic “market,” (3) associations of athletes, and (4) athletes' social status and values. Literary sources have shortcomings that can in part be made good through careful study of inscriptions. Honorary inscriptions for gymnasiarchs, who invited the instructors, inform us about these practices. Inscriptions reveal athletes (and games) never mentioned in literary sources, their achievements and values, their social status, their organizations, and their position in society at large. They attest to the fundamental importance of athletes and athleticism in urban life, and the recognition of that importance by local and super-regional authorities.

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