A discus is a circular plate of stone or metal about 10 or 12 inches in diameter, made for throwing to a distance as an exercise of strength or dexterity. Discus-throwing was one of the principal gymnastic exercises of the ancient Greeks and Romans, and was included in the pentathlon, the five exercises (leaping, foot-racing, discus-throwing, spear-throwing, and wrestling) prescribed for athletes in the national games. The discus was held in the right hand, leaning against the forearm, and thrown in the manner of a quoit, the player throwing it the farthest being the winner. The method is well shown in the famous statue of the Discobolus (the disc-thrower) by Myron.