Hysplex: The Starting Mechanism in Ancient Stadia: A Contribution to Ancient Greek Technology (UC Publications in Classical Studies)

This is a highly original study of the means of starting foot races in ancient Greek competitions and how a simultaneous start for all competitors was guaranteed. The author's explanation of how starting mechanisms were constructed and operated is based on his examination and analysis of stadium architecture, depictions on Panathenaic amphora, ancient epigraphical and literary texts, and the specialized bibliography on ancient Greek technology. The appendix describes a modern-day reconstruction of a starting mechanism.