Tuesday, April 28, 2009

What was "agon" in the Greek games?


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: agon

Why: In the In Touch Weekly crossword, #83 Across: Competition at the Greek games
AGON
Answer: Oh. It's just a competition:
  1. A conflict, especially between the protagonist and antagonist in a work of literature.
  2. The part of an ancient Greek drama, especially a comedy, in which two characters engage in verbal dispute.
  3. A test of will; a conflict: “Freud's originality stemmed from his aggression and ambition in his agon with biology” (Harold Bloom).
  4. A contest in ancient Greece, as in athletics or music, in which prizes were awarded.
Source: Answers.com

The More You Know: This is the root of the word agony (an intense struggle).