The main proponents of the theory that kicking was part of Greek boxing are two of the major commentators on Greek sport, namely Harris and Juthner. Harris cites several vase paintings: Athens 1689, Vienna 275, Wurzburg 252B, Munich 279(3). In a later article posthumously edited by Mehl,(4) Juthner cites Philostratus, Eusebius, Athens 1689, and adds C.V Denmark (Fasc.4 P1. 160 no. 2b) and an illustration from a Roman sarcophagus in the Villa Carpegna.(5) These numerous citations appear to be impressive, but how strong is the evidence for kicking in Greek boxing?
(3)Athens 1689 can be seen in A.E.Raubitschek, Dedications from the Athenian Akropolis (Cambridge, Mass. 1949) 363, and N. Yalouris et al., The Olympic Games (Athens 1976) 127. For Vienna 275 = Laborde I 74, see E. N. Gardiner, Greek Athletic Sports and Festivals (London 1910, repr. Dubuque, Iowa 1970) 444, Athletics of the Ancient World (Oxford 1930, repr. Chicago 1978) 217, ill. 193, J. H. Krause, Die Gymnastik und Agonistik der Hellenen (Leipzig 1841) Tafel XVIIIc 68b, R. Patrucco, Lo sport nella Grecia antica (Florence 1972) 315. Jiithner states that Vienna 275 (Laborde I 74), but not the representation in Krause, illustrates kicking in boxing, apparently unaware that they are indentical. For Wurzburg 252B, see C. Bliimel, Sport der Hellenen (Berlin 1936) 116 no.92. For Munich 279 = 2649 Beazley (ARV 418 no. 25), see B. Schroder, Der Sport im Altertum (Berlin 1927) Tafel 89, Patrucco 255.
(4)J. Juthner, E. Mehl, RE Suppl. 9 (1962) 1345.
(5)For C.V. Denmark, eds., C. Blinkenberg, K. F Johansen, see also p. 124 For the Roman sarcophagus, see Juthner, Mehl (note 4 above) 1315, Schroder (note 3 above) 147, Patrucco (note 3 above) 247.
FROM THE EVIDENCE FOR KICKING IN GREEK BOXING by NIGEL B. CROWTHER,
UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO
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