Archery in ancient Greece functioned as both a practical military tool and a foundational discipline for personal development, according to speakers at an October 3 conference in Ancona, Italy.
Ancona Conference Explores Classical Heritage and Archery
The conference, titled “Between the Iliad, Odyssey and Archery,” took place on Oct. 3 in Ancona, bringing together academic researchers, sports administrators, and educators. The event was promoted by the Regional School of Sports CONI Marche and the Marche Regional School Office, with organization led by Clara Marraffini of the Italian Touring Club and support from Nicola Paolucci. Collaboration came from Università Politecnica delle Marche alongside official patronage from the Italian Archery Federation (FITARCO).
Speakers laid out an interdisciplinary framework connecting Homeric literature, Mycenaean civilization, and modern archery practice. Presenters focused on the cultural, educational, and psychological dimensions of the sport, tracing parallels to ancient Greek educational systems where physical training and intellectual growth proceeded in tandem within the Gymnasium.
Homeric Epics and Mycenaean Archaeology Highlight the Bow
Analyses of the Iliad and the Odyssey highlighted core values embedded in Western cultural history, including personal excellence, respect for elders, hospitality, family bonds, compassion, and community respect. Archery occupied a prominent role in these texts, appearing during funeral games described by Homer and receiving extensive documentation in archaeological finds from the Mycenaean era.
The sessions detailed the evolution of the bow during the Bronze Age, examining technical attributes, battlefield applications, and symbolic weight. In Homeric epics, the bow transcends standard weaponry to signify social prestige, heritage, and personal identity. Scholars pointed to the bow of Odysseus as a primary example—an inherited heirloom representing royal authority that enabled the hero to restore order upon his return to Ithaca.
Psychological Applications in Modern Sport
Dr. Sammy Marcantognini of the Regional School of Sports for the Marche and psychologist for the FITARCO Paralympic National Team delivered the concluding remarks. He emphasized that archery functions as an effective tool for cultivating concentration, emotional regulation, attention span, and self-control.
The presentations underlined the contemporary relevance of Homeric themes, framing archery not merely as a competitive sport but as an active pathway toward self-awareness. As demonstrated by traditional archery practice, mastery of the self precedes accuracy on the target.
