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Agon at Ancient Aphrodisias

Agon at Ancient Aphrodisias

The scene is an allegory of athletic contest, agon. The pillar with bearded head is Hermes, the god of the gymnasium. Nearby is a palm of victory and a prize table with a victory ribbon on it. Two winged baby Eros figures are struggling over a palm branch, now mostly broken; they act out the idea of contest, which is personified in the youthful figure behind. He holds another palm of victory: he is Agon himself! - Museum of Aphrodisias.



Agon, in one sense, meant a contest, competition, especially the Olympic Games, or challenge that was held in connection with religious festivals. In its broader sense of a struggle or contest, agon referred to a contest in athletics, chariot or horse racing, music or literature at a public festival in ancient Greece. Agon was also a mythological personification of the all contests listed.

Relief at Sebasteion: Ancient Aphrodisias School of Sculpture...

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