Hysplex: The Starting Mechanism in Ancient Stadia: A Contribution to Ancient Greek Technology (Volume 36)

by Panos Valavanis, Stephen G. Miller (Contributor)

This is a highly original study of the means of starting foot races in ancient Greek competitions and how a simultaneous start for all competitors was guaranteed. The author's explanation of how starting mechanisms were constructed and operated is based on his examination and analysis of stadium architecture, depictions on Panathenaic amphora, ancient epigraphical and literary texts, and the specialized bibliography on ancient Greek technology. The appendix describes a modern-day reconstruction of a starting mechanism.

183 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 1999

About the author

Panos Valavanis (Greek: Πάνος Βαλαβάνης) was a Greek classical archaeologist.