L' arte ginnica di Icco da Taranto nel contesto socio-culturale della Magna Grecia

Abstract

                                                                                                      GYMNIC ART OF ICCUS OF TARANTO IN THE CONTEST OF MAGNA GRAECIA                                                                                                                 Iccus of Taranto was a famous athlete living in the V century B.C. and partecipating to Olympic competitions, of which was a winner in the LXXVII Games. He was quoted by Plato for the accuracy in the preparation of his athletic body: before competitions he avoided sexual relationships and took a lot care to diet, so that he is considered the founder of athletic dietology. His thought was influenced by pytagoreans, mainly by Alcmaeon of Crotone: for this he teached the importance of the armony of body and mind, the frugality in eating, the self control. An appropriate but frugal diet for athletes was known as meal of Iccus and used before races.              Key words: gymnic art - Iccus of Taranto - Magna Graecia