Classical Studies 2300 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Panathenaic Games, Phyle, Demagogue

• School: Western University
• Department: Classical Studies
• Course: Classical Studies 2300
• Professor: Charles Stocking

Document Summary

A feature of the democratic organization of athens was its division into ten tribal voting constituencies, or phylai. But this was not only a basis for participation in politics: it also provided a structure for military training and a means for individual and team competitions at various inter-tribal games. The most important of these was the panathenaic games; and it is at this all-athenian meeting we first get notice of public assessment of physical beauty. Here each of the ten democratic athenian tribes would submit representatives to challenge in the sphere of euandria, or "fine manliness". This entailed tests not only of prowess, but also of appearance. The criteria for winning in these tests are unknown but what is known is that the victors received prizes and that such competitions were not confined to athens.