Cultural Olympics

NOT ALL OLYMPIC-styLe events in ancient Greece were performed by athletes. In democratic Athens, competitions were not limited to feats of physical prowess but included artistic ones as well, including poetic recitations and music. The winners received not gold medals but olive oil a precious commodity in those days contained in exquisite amphora:, or painted earthenware vases. Those amphora are now the centerpiece of a spectacular new traveling exhibition organized by the Hood Museum of Art titled "Goddess and Polis: The Panathenaic Festival in Ancient Athens."

Reflecting the city-state during a time of prosperity, the amphora are masterpieces. Each vase features two panels one portraying the competition for which the vase was awarded and the other portraying Athena, the goddess in whose honor the events were held. The works represent one of the most important sources of knowledge about Greek sport.

The Hood's exhibition the first ever to deal solely with this Athenian festival will be open September 12 through December 6. A multidisciplinary on-campus symposium of scholars will take place on October 23 and 24.

Miglionico '95