Pedestrianism

FEBESTEIAOTSM. ) >1 : 4 • • . , • CHAPTER I. o n t hgeymn a s t i c e x e e g i s e s o f t h e a n c i e n t s . G YMNASTIC exercises were held in the highestrepute by the most illustrious nations of antiquity. They mingled with the sacred andpoliticalinstitutionsof theirgovernments, andproduced consequencesaffectingthe phy­ sical and moralcharacter of the people. The Game s interestedallGreece ;and the period of theircelebration wasthat,of peace and security. The different republics, with their dependent colonies in the isles, in Asia, and Africa, furnishedcandidates emulousto gain the distinguishedhonors. Hostile states, b then