GREEK ATHLETIC VOCABULARY

sense of competition (agon) for a prize (athlos)

agon--agony

athlos--athlete

arete

Greek word for excellence, virtue

kaloskagathos "good and noble"

The terms "sport" and "games" imply leisure and amusement which do not apply to Greek athletics.

Greeks did not know the ideal of "being a good sport."

Greek culture was highly competitive.

Rather they believed that

"nice guys finish last"

"winning isn't the main thing, it's the only thing"

 "show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser"

Greeks did not limit such competition to athletics. There were also poetic and musical competitions as well.