Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, November 5th, 2024
the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!

Bible Encyclopedias
Gymnasium

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Search for…
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Gybngyosi (Di Peteny), Paulus
Next Entry
Gymnosophists
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links

(γυμνάσιον , A.V. "place of exercise''), a large unroofed building for the purpose of athletic exercises, consisting usually of different compartments, or a set of separate buildings conjoined, each of which was set apart to some special sport, as the Sphaeristerion for playing at ball, the Palaestra for wrestling and the exercises of the pancratium, etc. (Smith, Dict. of Class. Antiquities, s.v.). This was almost exclusively a Greek institution, and there was hardly a Greek town of-any size that had not its gymnasium. To the Jews it was unknown until the Hellenizing party introduced it in the age of the Maccabees (1 Maccabees 1:14). Jason, the Hellenizing high-priest, caused one to be erected at Jerusalem (2 Maccabees 4:12 sq,). This innovation was viewed with much displeasure by the strict party among the Jews. Whether Herod the Great, when he introduced the theatre and amplitheatre, restored the gymnasium, does not appear, but the probability is that he did (Josephus, Ant. 15:8, 1; compare War, i, 21, 11). (See GAMES).

Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Gymnasium'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​g/gymnasium.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile