. Greek athletic sports and festivals . adopted by some of the competitors in the Olympicgames of 1896. Starting with the left foot forward, thethrower raised the diskos in both hands to a level with theshoulders and at the moment of swinging it back advanced theright foot, stepping forward again with the left in making theactual throw. This method requires room for three steps,the impetus being helped by this forward movement. The XV THE DISKOS—TWO TYPICAL POSITIONS 325 other method requires room only for one step, and the penduhim-like swing of the left leg, first forward, then back, and fin
. Greek athletic sports and festivals . adopted by some of the competitors in the Olympicgames of 1896. Starting with the left foot forward, thethrower raised the diskos in both hands to a level with theshoulders and at the moment of swinging it back advanced theright foot, stepping forward again with the left in making theactual throw. This method requires room for three steps,the impetus being helped by this forward movement. The XV THE DISKOS—TWO TYPICAL POSITIONS 325 other method requires room only for one step, and the penduhim-like swing of the left leg, first forward, then back, and finally-forward again, seems at least equally effective as helping theswing of the body, like the preliminary waggle of a golf methods are effective and it seems probable from thevases that both were employed. The former method is sug-gested by Fig. 79, the latter by Fig. 78. An examination of the second type with the diskos flat inthe right hand confirms these conclusions. This type is an lbAWfelKtX»»i»J»iltfimJilllHiM[l. Fig. 79.— pelike, in IBntish Museum, E. 395. excellent illustration of differences due to artistic causes. Theattitude of the body varies from the stiff upright pose of archaicbronzes and vases to the graceful curves of the stooping figureon a vase assigned to Euphronius (Fig. 80). Sometimes thebody is inclined forward, sometimes it is upright, sometimesit is thrown well back. The essential point, however, is theposition of the arms, and this is always constant. The diskosrests against the right forearm, and the left hand is raised abovethe head or stretched to the front. There can be little doubtthat in all these cases the moment represented is the backwardswing of the diskos. The position of the right hand turned 326 GREEK ATHLETIC SPORTS AND FESTIVALS CHAP. outward is necessary to prevent the diskos from slipping whilethe left arm is raised to balance the body as it swings. Thebest example of this type is a beautiful little bronze, exhi
Size: 1733px × 1442px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, books, booksubjectfastsandfeasts
