DescriptionBronze figure of a running girl, Greek, about 520-500 BC, Found at Prizren, Kosovo, Winning at the ancient Games, British Museum (7667206370).jpg
Found at Prizren, Kosovo; possibly made in or near Sparta, Greece
Raised in the Spartan athletic tradition?
Athletes in the Greek world were mostly male, and a running girl is therefore a rarity. However, ancient Sparta had a tough tradition which included the expectation that girls too would take part in athletic contests. Pausanias (AD 143-176), author of Periegesis Hellados ('Description of Greece'), tells us that girls ran in the Heraia: the games held at Olympia in honour of the goddess Hera. Though separate from the Olympic Games, these games also took place at four-yearly intervals. The contestants are described as wearing a short tunic like the one worn by this bronze figurine. We therefore have some evidence for girl runners in Greece, giving a background for the production of a figure such as this.
The bronze rivet surviving in the right foot perhaps suggests that this figure was originally a decorative fixture attached to a vessel or utensil.
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Under the following conditions:
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DescriptionBronze figure of a running girl, Greek, about 520-500 BC, Found at Prizren, Kosovo, Winning at the ancient Games, British Museum (7667206370).jpg
Found at Prizren, Kosovo; possibly made in or near Sparta, Greece
Raised in the Spartan athletic tradition?
Athletes in the Greek world were mostly male, and a running girl is therefore a rarity. However, ancient Sparta had a tough tradition which included the expectation that girls too would take part in athletic contests. Pausanias (AD 143-176), author of Periegesis Hellados ('Description of Greece'), tells us that girls ran in the Heraia: the games held at Olympia in honour of the goddess Hera. Though separate from the Olympic Games, these games also took place at four-yearly intervals. The contestants are described as wearing a short tunic like the one worn by this bronze figurine. We therefore have some evidence for girl runners in Greece, giving a background for the production of a figure such as this.
The bronze rivet surviving in the right foot perhaps suggests that this figure was originally a decorative fixture attached to a vessel or utensil.
to share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work
to remix – to adapt the work
Under the following conditions:
attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
share alike – If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the
same or compatible license as the original.