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Mlahanas is cool, he has some fringe theories and items, but also comes up with complete surprises. Greek vase painting is a rich source for ancient leisure games, I found depictions of yoyos, swings, one-wheeler toys (the first application of the principle?), spinning, pickaback, football and basketball games etc.
An excellent source is Raimund Wünsche, Florian Knauß (ed.): Lockender Lorbeer. Sport und Spiel in der Antike, Staatliche Antikensammlungen München 2004. Unfortunately, the book is vast and has no index so I could not find anything on kites.
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
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Yes, it is an interesting site but I wish there were sources listed. I don't necessarily disbelieve something with no sources, but I think it's nice to be able to check the primary source material for more information.
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Quote:Yes, it is an interesting site but I wish there were sources listed. I don't necessarily disbelieve something with no sources, but I think it's nice to be able to check the primary source material for more information.
I wrote yesterday Mr Lahanas, no reply yet. From the blueish background it looks like lifted from LacusCurtius, but swift search did not yield any reference to a flying kite there. There is nothing in my ancient sports books, either, but anyway a search in vase painting catalogues might prove more fruitful.
From my Wikipedia experience, I have acquired the habit of having new, but unsourced information on
stand-by, that is taking neutrally note of it, but not accepting it as my view and most certainly not spreading it without clear reservations. The greatest Chinese proverb I heard of is
if you believe anything in books (and by extension any written source), better don't read any books at all. Wise folks. :mrgreen:
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
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Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
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Interesting. A "small fluttering pennant." Thanks for the info!
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Quote:Interesting. A "small fluttering pennant." Thanks for the info!
To be sure, this maintains Lynn White, a medieval historian of immense influence who by denying that the ancients knew and used water-powered stone saw mills (he interpreted the evidence in Ausonius' 370s Mosella forcefully as 10th cenury amendment) was instrumental in hampering progress in the field of ancient technology for several decades. It is noteworthy that he does not give a cite a reference for his interpretation as pennant.
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)