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articles written regarding professional or semi-professional athletes take
up space which is in no way comparable to the importance or reputation
of this kind of athlete.
Great importance with regard to the question of the social and
athletic position of the boy Pyrrhus can be attached to two references
giving assurance relative to his scholastic achievements. Since, and mainly
in the London text, reference is clearly made to "letters" and to lessons
which must not be neglected for training.
In this context Zeno places clear demands. Yet for what reason
should a future professional athlete receive scientific lessons beyond
the "essential knowledge of writing and reading? Probably this Alexandrian
palaestra was one of these gymnasia referred to by Marron at
which scientific education was added to athletic training.
In all this there is no place for slaves. Without any further explanation
a certain piece of information is not understandable in one of
the three texts: "And know (Zeno) that Ptolemy receives no salary at
all as the other directors and he makes every endeavour that you be
crowned in exchange for all the good that you once, though unknown
to him, did for him". Whatever this sentence may mean, whatsoever
may be insinuated it cannot be considered as referring to a school of
professional athletes. Ptolemy, the honorary State coach, feels himself
under obligation to Zeno - perchance it may have been a question of
the matters already referred to regarding the Alexandrian palaestra in
which mention was made regarding the appointment of a certain Ptolemy
and for which Zeno was asked to intervene?
We remember that at the end of the text the despatch of a boy is
requested who "is to be entered for the lectures".The correlation could
even be reckoned chronologically since the relative letter regarding the
palaestra is placed chronologically half a year before the correspondence
with reference to Pyrrhus. Thus many indications are contrary to the
supposition that Pyrrhus was a slave and student athlete. It would seem
here more likely that a youthful Greek, probably the son of a dead soldier
was receving the regular upbringing of the palaestra with the usual
gymnastic additions. In athletics the results he has obtained are above
the average according to his achievement in training. Such abilities
have always kindled the interest of wealthy patrons.
178
The fact that Zeno knew his social obligations as a respected man,