DH.064 West End of Stadium of Herodus Atticus

Preview

Creator

Denis Baly

Creation Year

1978

Image ID

DH.064

Subcollection

DH: Delphi

Abstract

View of the west end of the stadium, featuring the semicircular sphendone connecting the two sides of seats. The sphendone is unique to Delphi, setting it apart from other ancient stadiums at Epidauros and Olympia.

Description

View of the west end of the stadium, featuring the sphendone and finish line. The sphendone is the semicircular section of seats connecting the north and south main seating areas, and is a unique feature among Greek stadiums that is not found at peer sites like Epidauros (DM) and Olympia (DI). The finish line was formed of stone blocks, and was identical to the starting line pictured in DH.62 and DH.63 above. The stadium itself dates from the 5th century BCE, but was heavily renovated by Roman aristocrat Herodus Atticus in the 2nd century CE. The level field of the stadium is built into a steep slope, requiring the north side to be carved from the rock and the south side to be supported by a stone terrace. It is about 177 meters long, equivalent to 600 Roman feet. Inscriptions tell us that in addition to the 'gymnastics,' what we call track and field sports today, there were sometimes musical events as well.

Image Notes

Creation date unknown. Photograph processed July 1978. Notes written on the slide or index: Stadium - curved west end and finishing line.

Image Format

35 mm slide

Geographic Reference

Delfoi, Greece