Athens boasted three public gymnasia,the Cynosarges, the Lyceum, and the Academy.

But then, as he saw that the populace, unless ruled by a strong hand, could neither help him nor help themselves, but intended to stay idling about their baths and entertainments at home, while he fought their battles in the field, he closed the gymnasia and public walks, in which the people were wont to waste their time in empty talk about the war.

Metternich went so far as to write a letter to the King of Prussia urging him to disband the gymnasia, as hotbeds of mischief.

Our larger towns and cities still support gymnasia of greater or less size and perfectness.