Ancient Greece

The Greek Olympics

The ancient Greek Olympics date from 776 b.c.e., when the first winner can be confirmed. These games have also contributed to our understanding of ancient Greek values and culture. The Greeks established sport and games as a way to honor their gods and therefore made sport a central feature of religious observation. The ancient Olympics were played over five days, however, the athletes and their trainers decamped in preparation for 30 days before the competitions began. In addition, standards of play were formalized that allowed competitors and spectators to share common approaches to known spectacles.

Sports such as boxing, weight lifting, and the pentathlon gained great popularity in the ancient Greek world. The pentathlon was composed of five sports including discus and javelin throwing, wrestling, running, and long jumping. The events tested a range of sporting skills. Victors in these competitions were recognized with a wreath of laurel or olive leaves and were further celebrated when crowds shouted their name and that of their families and their city. Given the importance of the city-state in ancient Greece, such tributes were of great significance.

Boxing was also part of the Olympic competitions and was seen as one of the significant heavy events, held on the fourth day of the meeting. Boxers' hands and wrists were wrapped in leather strips and their bodies were oiled. Since there were no judges, the fights were hard affairs with few rules and no time frame. Damage came through blows to the head and neck and ended only when a boxer collapsed from total exhaustion, was knocked out, or lifted his right hand in defeat.

Greek wrestling was another key Olympic sport and was geared to throwing the opponent to the ground without the necessity of pinning him. The fighters fought in the nude and oiled their bodies, making modern-style [Page 28]gripping holds difficult. Nudity was seen as a means of separating the Greeks from barbarians, who in Greek eyes always covered themselves in animal skins. Sweat was removed by scraping with stirgils, implements that removed excess oil and perspiration. As with boxing, there were no time limits, set ring, or even weight limits. When three falls were achieved, victory was declared.

Sporting success also became a source of inspiration for poets and artists who admired the athletes' bodies as representations of masculine beauty. Competitions featured both men (andres) and boys (paides), but the actual age classifications remain hard to determine conclusively. Yet there appeared to be a minimum age, as well as an upper division for boys of 17, after which they had to compete as men. Older athletes were welcome to compete as long as they could avoid embarrassment. There was also evidence indicating that as athletes aged, horse racing became an alternative activity.

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