Dean Tan

5/15/2015
Ancient World

NAHC:
Mankinds Greatness in the Ancient World and Today

The Ancient Greeks loved themselves. The rich culture, art styles, philosophies,
and religion focused on the magnificence of the human body, his mind, and his great role
in the world. The Greeks obsession with human athleticism and strength was celebrated
in the quadrennial Olympic games, as well as several smaller local competitions such as
the Panathenaic games of Athens. Such games were an integral part of Greek culture,
incorporating athletic events in to religious festival. The Terracotta Panathenaic prize
amphora, crafted in 530 BCE, depicts 5 Athenian at the Panathenaic games competing in
the stadion footrace on one side, and the goddess Athena on the other side. The
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City houses a vast array of Greek amphorae,
each decorated with images of athletes and gods. The Terracotta Panathenaic Prize
amphora represents the culture and ideals of the Archaic period of Ancient Greece and
conveys the eternal truth of mankinds passion for greatness and glory, seen also in the
modern world. Though events such as the Olympic games, reflected in art by the
Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora, man was able to celebrate his victories and favor
in the gods.
This object, Terracotta Panathenaic Prize amphora, on view in Gallery 153 of
The Metropolitan Museum of Art1, represents the culture and art style of the Archaic
period of Ancient Greece and the Humanist philosophy celebrating mankind and his
achievements. The Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora was created in 530 BCE, in
1 Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora, last modified 2015,
http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collectiononline/search/248902

Attica, Greece, and is 62 cm in height. It is made out of terracotta clay, decorated with
black-figure paint, and finished with a glaze. It is attributed to Nikias the potter and
Euphiletos the painter, both widely venerated craftsmen of their time and the producers of
numerous similar amphorae. The amphora has a wide body and narrow neck and base,
adorned with two handles for storage. The obverse side depicts the goddess Athena
holding a shield and spear and flanked by two roosters standing on columns, while the
reverse side is decorated with an image of five Athenian athletes in a footrace.
As the Louvre Museum states, in reference to a terracotta amphora
one side depicting the winner's sporting discipline (in this case, the athlete was
a hoplitodromos, competing in the a foot race while bearing arms). The second side
always features a representation of Athena, wearing a helmet and armed with her lance
and shield (the Athena Promachos, or prepared for combat)2
As seen in this quotation, the decoration of the amphora celebrates both the
athletic achievements of the Athenian people and their favor with the gods.
The amphora is also a prime example of Archaic Greek art, the style that existed from
800 to 480 BCE. It was during this time where pottery and vase making was most
prominent, crafted out of red terracotta clay and decorated with the black-figure
technique. It was also at this time that the concept of Humanism, a philosophy that
considered mankind to be the pinnacle of the gods creation, emerged and was reflected
in art. Humanist elements in art were most notably defined in the detailed illustration of
the human body, which clearly defined the musculature and physique of the nude body.
As Mary B. Moore of the Metropolitan Journal states,
2 Panathenaic black-figure amphora, last modified 2015,
http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/panathenaic-black-figure-amphora

Their decoration is always in the Attic black-figure technique even long after that
method was superseded, in the late sixth century B.C., by the more expressive red-figure
technique.3
As seen in this quotation, the Archaic art style persisted and continued to be used
in pottery. In addition, the concept of Humanism developed into further art styles. This
object, through its style and imagery, glorifies the human body in the depictions of the
five Athenian sprinters. In addition, the image of the goddess Athena, overlooking the
athletes in her full armor, shows that the Greeks saw themselves in the favor of the gods.
The cultural context of the Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora, which was
made and used in the Archaic period of Greek history, also illustrates the eternal truth.
The Panathenaic Games, held every four years and modeled after the more prestigious
Olympic Games, was a major festival in the city-state of Athens that featured athletic
competitions, cultural events, and religious ceremony. The amphorae were used to hold
olive oil from the sacred grove of Athena at Akademos, in Attica, several of which were
awarded to the winners of the athletic events.
As stated in the Athenian Constitution,
in conjunction with the Council have the vases made, and assign the olive-oil
to the competitors. The oil is procured from the sacred trees4
Olive oil from the sacred moriai trees of Attica was a very valuable award
exclusively distributed to the winners of the Panathenaic games. Thus, to receive over a
3 Mary B. Moore, Nikias Made Me: An Early Panathenaic Prize Amphora in The
Metropolitan Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum Journal 34 (1999): 1
4Aristotle, The Athenian Constitution (Cambridge: Harvard University
Press, 1935), accessed May 14, 2015,
http://www.loebclassics.com/view/aristotleathenian_constitution/1935/pb_LCL285.165.xml

hundred amphorae of olive oil was a high honor, furthering an athletes desire to compete
and win in the games. An estimated 1,500 such amphorae were awarded at each
Panathenaic games.
The image on the reverse side depicts five Athenian athletes, as only citizens of
Athens were allowed to participate, competing in the stadion, or the 200m sprint. Other
footraces include the diaulos, the 1400m race, and the dolichos, the 3800m race, as well
as discus, javelin, wrestling, and chariot racing. Greek athletics prided individual
athleticism and each athletes endeavor to overtake his opponent. As a result, none of the
Greek sports were team-based, nor did they focus on setting records. Rather, in such
physical competitions as racing and wrestling, the individual directly demonstrated his
ability over his opponent instead of achieving a score or rating. As Ancient History
Encyclopedia states,
There are practically no records of times and distances achieved by victorious
athletes as these were simply not considered important, the idea was to be first amongst
the best, not to beat records.5
This evidence supports the argument because, in pursuit of greatness and glory,
the Athenians valued an individuals victory over another, not just an arbitrary record or
number.
In addition, Greek athletic events went beyond the competition and included celebrations
and festivals to honor the gods. In the case of the Panathenaic games, the Athenians
celebrated their patron goddesss, Athena. Festivals such as the Panathenaic games were

5 Olympic Games, last modified May 23, 2013,

http://www.ancient.eu/Olympic_Games/

seen as rejoicing in the bounty and splendor of Athens bestowed by Athena, which
allowed the Athenian people to hold such extravagant celebrations.
As athletic events like the Olympic Games were such an
important part of Greek culture and everyday life, many poets and
philosophers wrote about and considered the Greek obsession with
competition. In a discussion between the Athenian statesman Solon
and the visiting Scythian philosopher Anacharsis, the concepts of
competitive purpose and physical training are explored. As Lucian
records in Anacharsis, a Discussion of Physical Training:
Ah, Anacharsis, if the love of fair fame were to be wiped out of
our lives, what good would remain? Who would care to do a glorious
deed?6
Here, Solon recognizes that the Athenian people rely on competition as
a source of popularity and fame. The competitive nature of athletic
events allows the Athenians to demonstrate their abilities and gain
prestige. Solon continues, explaining the purpose of the prizes:
My dear sir, it is not the things intrinsic value that we look at. They
are the symbols of victory, labels of the winners; it is the fame
attaching to them that is worth any price to their holders.

6 Anacharsis, A Discussion Of Physical Training, last modified

unknown, http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/wl3/wl312.htm

Above all else to the athletes in the competition is the chance of

winning honor and fame, held at a value higher than even sacred olive
oil.
The Greek lyric poet Pindar also remarked on the Olympic
games. One of the most virtuous lyric poets of the Archaic Age, Pindar
commissioned several victory odes for winners of the Olympic Games,
as well as for victors of war. In his Olympian 1, Pindar wrote:
in the races of the Olympic festivals, where there are
contests for swiftness of foot, and the bold heights of toiling strength
. But at any given time the glory of the present day is the highest
one that comes to every mortal man.7
Here, Pindar acknowledges the competitive spirit of the Olympic
Games where the feats of athletes are exhibited. He then lauds the
victor, applauding his success, and recognizing how glory is the
greatest honor to any man.
The eternal truth of mankinds fervent passion for victory is
prominent in the modern world because athletic events such as the
Olympic Games continue to celebrate the feats of human athletes, to
the same extent, if not more, of the Ancient Greeks. The 200m stadion
sprinting event, as performed in the Panathenaic games and depicted
on the amphora, is still a race that is competed in today. In the 2012

7 Pindar, Olympian, last modified unknown,

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext
%3A1999.01.0162%3Abook%3DO.

Olympic Games, the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won the gold medal
in the Mens 200m race. As seen in the photograph, he is kissing his
gold medal, one of the three he won at the 2012 games. Known as the
fastest man in the world, Bolt holds the world records in the 100m and
200m Olympic events. He is known for his victory celebrations,
confident and ambitious attitude, and charismatic personality. He
remarked, I'm now a legend, I'm also the greatest athlete to live. 8
Usain Bolts passion for his sport has driven him to intense physical
training and resulted in his numerous victories in the Olympic games.
The eternal truth of victory is seen not only in athletics, but in
pop culture and music as well. For example, the song We Are The
Champions by the band Queen embodies this truth. In the Crazy Frog
remake of the song in 2006, released in conjunction with the World
Cup, the lyrics of the chorus are as follows:
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
Cause we are the champions of the world9
8 Paul Keslo, Usain Bolt declares himself as a 'living legend' as he
completes the double-double at London 2012 Olympics, The
Telegraph, August 10, 2012, accessed May 14, 2015,
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/athletics/9466129/UsainBolt-declares-himself-as-a-living-legend-as-he-completes-the-doubledouble-at-London-2012-Olympics.html
9 cucasfood. Crazy Frog We Are The Champions, Youtube video,
3:01, May 28, 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voDo0mqjfp8

These lyrics demonstrate that in his desire for greatness, mankind

wants to be the best in the world. He does not settle for anything less
than the greatest.
In addition to the music in the video, the animations demonstrate
mankinds competitive attitude and drive to win. This is represented
through the character Crazy Frog, the goalie of his one-man team. In
the video, he is playing a match against a team of red robots, and is
very successful in both blocking shots and scoring goals. When the
opposing team scores a goal, he wakes up suddenly from the bad
dream, then falls back on his bed. He is then seen hurtling through
space as an army of identical Crazy Frog soccer players marches past.
Finally, he approaches a golden trophy at the top of a staircase, then
grabs onto a soccer ball and flies into the distance. The story of Crazy
Frog in his soccer match demonstrates that mankinds ultimate goal is
for success and glory, embodied by the golden trophy and winning the
match.
To conclude, the eternal truth of mankinds persistent and
passionate desire for greatness can be seen in the ancient world and
the modern day. The Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora illustrates
the Archaic style of Greek art that glorifies mankind through his robust
figure and his esteem with the gods. Ancient Greek culture celebrated
man through their athletic competitions, which awarded the winners
both fame and prizes. In addition, the philosophers and poets of the

time recognized and participated in this desire for greatness by

praising victorious athletes and competitors. Our society today
exemplifies this human craving through modern athletes and the
Olympic games, and also through songs and videos. Mankinds
unending thirst for success and victory has persisted throughout
history and will continue to drive him towards competition and sport.

Bibliography
Ancient History Encyclopedia. Olympic Games. Last modified May 23,
2013. http://www.ancient.eu/Olympic_Games/.
Aristotle. The Athenian Constitution. Cambridge: Harvard University
Press, 1935. Accessed May 14, 2015.
http://www.loebclassics.com/view/aristotleathenian_constitution/1935/pb_LCL285.165.xml
cucasfood. Crazy Frog We Are The Champions. Youtube video, 3:01.
May 28, 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voDo0mqjfp8
Keslo, Paul. Usain Bolt declares himself as a 'living legend' as he
completes the double-double at London 2012 Olympics. The
Telegraph, August 10, 2012. Accessed May 14, 2015.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/athletics/9466129/UsainBolt-declares-himself-as-a-living-legend-as-he-completes-the-doubledouble-at-London2012-Olympics.html

Moore, Mary B. Nikias Made Me: An Early Panathenaic Prize Amphora in The
Metropolitan Museum of Art Metropolitan Museum Journal 34 (1999): 1
Perseus Digital Library. Pindar, Olympian 1. Last modified unknown.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext
%3A1999.01.0162%3Abook%3DO.
Sacred Texts. Anacharsis, A Discussion Of Physical Training. Last
modified unknown. http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/wl3/wl312.htm.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Terracotta Panathenaic prize
amphora. Last modified 2015.
http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collectiononline/search/248902.
The Louvre Museum. Panathenaic black-figure amphora. Last modified unknown.
http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/panathenaic-black-figure-amphora.