The Diskos   

    The word diskos originally meant a "thing for throwing." The evidence of this event shows that each competitor had five throws. The winner of the event had the farthest throw, which was marked by wooden pegs in the ground. The military connection with this event is linked through epics like the Odyssey, which linked the diskos to that of throwing rocks.

        The bottom center picture shows the form of a diskos competitor. This sculpture, entitled The Diskos Thrower, was created by Myron.  The diskos technique has remained almost unchanged. As the sculpture shows, the athlete holds the diskos high with one hand. He then swings the diskos down, around, and up again. These motions utilized the shoulder muscles, chest, and ribs. This event required rhythm, balance, and power.

        The diskos was a large circular stone, which was later changed to iron, lead, and bronze. The circular plate was somewhat thicker in the center than at the edges. An example is shown in the picture in the bottom right hand corner. The size was between 17 and 32 centimeters and the weight was between one and seven kilograms. Some have said that this apparatus has caused accidental deaths, but the spectators were believed to have sat on embankments.

        The bottom left hand corner is a statue of a competitor preparing to throw the diskos.