Archway sports governance and cultural heritage converged in Ancona as sports administrators, educators, and classicists gathered to examine the enduring ties between ancient Greek literature and modern athletic disciplines.
Ancona Conference Connects Homeric Epics to Modern Archery Practice
The conference, titled “Tra l’Iliade, Odissea e il tiro con l’arco” (“Between the Iliad, Odyssey, and Archery”), took place on October 3 at the Giorgio Fuà auditorium inside the Faculty of Economics at the Università Politecnica delle Marche. Promoted by the Scuola Regionale dello Sport CONI Marche and the Ufficio Scolastico Regionale Marche, the event was organized by Clara Marraffini of the Touring Club Italiano with the support of Nicola Paolucci, in collaboration with the Università Politecnica delle Marche and under the patronage of the Federazione Italiana Tiro con l’Arco (FITARCO).
Academic Insights Trace the Evolution of the Bow in Ancient Greece
Opening remarks and academic presentations established the historical and technical lineage of archery from the Bronze Age through the Mycenaean civilization to the Homeric epics. According to coverage from Il Pensiero Mediterraneo, Professor Haris Koudounas of Campus HETG Geneva delivered a lecture titled “Da Apollo a Odisseo – Il viaggio dell’arco nel mondo greco” (“From Apollo to Odysseus – The Journey of the Bow in the Greek World”), exploring the symbolic and technical roots of the bow in Homeric societies. Clara Marraffini followed with a presentation on “I Valori di Omero” (“The Values of Homer”), examining ethical principles such as personal excellence, hospitality, respect for elders, and compassion.
Psychological Benefits and Educational Value Highlighted for Coaches and Educators
The curriculum specifically targeted teachers, coaches, sports science graduates, and students. The academic sessions underscored how ancient Greek gymnasiums paired physical training with intellectual growth. Dr. Sammy Marcantognini of the Scuola Regionale dello Sport delle Marche and a psychologist for the FITARCO Paralympic National Team concluded the morning sessions by analyzing the psychological benefits of archery. Marcantognini emphasized that modern archery remains a precise tool for cultivating concentration, emotional regulation, attention, and self-control, reinforcing the notion that an archer must first master internal discipline before hitting an external target.
