Abstract des Autors

In a short, apocryphal letter (Hercher 1873, no. 35), we find the story of Diogenes of Sinope meeting a palaistrophylax in Miletus. This overlooked letter enriches our understanding of the palaistrophylax. First, it supports the position that the palaistrophylax was a slave in the earlier Greek period. Second, it suggests that the palaistrophylax would have been stationed inside the gymnasium with the duty of watching over the activities and patrons. Third, while considering the palaistrophylax as a training partner is supported, it is more likely he was an assistant trainer. Finally, I conclude that the palaistrophylax was responsible for assessing fines and flogging patrons who acted out of line when the gymnasiarch was not present.