palaestrae

With these the athletes in the _palaestrae_ were wont to practise, reserving for serious contests the more formidable kinds, such as the _sphaerae_ ([Greek: sphairai]), which were sewn with small metal balls covered with leather, and the terrible _murmekes_ ([Greek: murmêkes]), sometimes called "limb-breakers" ([Greek: guiotoroi]), which were studded with heavy nails.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" Various

Next, although the building of palaestrae is not usual in Italy, I think it best to set forth the traditional way, and to show how they are constructed among the Greeks.

The Ten Books on Architecture Vitruvius Pollio

The rollers used for smoothing the walks in palaestrae will serve as an example of this method.

The Ten Books on Architecture Vitruvius Pollio

The rules on these points will hold not only for houses in town, but also for those in the country, except that in town atriums are usually next to the front door, while in country seats peristyles come first, and then atriums surrounded by paved colonnades opening upon palaestrae and walks.

The Ten Books on Architecture Vitruvius Pollio

In the palaestrae and circuses of the city I toiled, and in the camps no less; and in all of them I have a name, but not that of my fathers.

Ben-Hur, a tale of the Christ 1901

Every rib in the round body was discernible; yet the leanness was the healthful reduction so strained after in the palaestrae.

Ben-Hur, a tale of the Christ 1901

In the palaestrae he was unmatched; he played with the blue-eyed giants from the Rhine and the hornless bulls of Sarmatia as they were willow wisps.

Ben-Hur, a tale of the Christ 1901

The exercises in the spacious palaestrae had small interest for him; there was always such evident rancor between the factions Blue and Green.

The Prince of India — Volume 01 Lewis Wallace 1866

In the palaestrae I could indulge practice which, if followed into the circus, would become an abomination; and if I take to the course here, Malluch, I swear it will not be for the prize or the winner's fee. "

Ben-Hur, a tale of the Christ 1901

"The fellow is young-one; he hath the visage of a Roman-two; he loveth best the garb of a Jew-three; and in the palaestrae fame and fortune come of arms to throw a horse or tilt a chariot, as the necessity may order-four.

Ben-Hur, a tale of the Christ 1901