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 Asport@ and Agames@ imply leisure and amusement which do not apply to Greek athletics.

Greeks did not know the ideal of Abeing a good sport.@

Greek culture was highly competitive.

Rather they believed that

Anice guys finish last@

Awinning isn=t the main thing, it=s the only thing=

 Ashow 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.