Video – 6:25
Full of blood, passion and extraordinary feats of athletic endeavor, the Olympic Games were the sporting, social and cultural highlight of Ancient Greece for almost twelve centuries.
The Games took place every four years from 776 BC to 393 BC. All Greek males were allowed to take part, from farm hands to royal heirs. Many participants were soldiers. Women could not compete or attend. The Games lasted for 5 days and consisted of running, jumping throwing events, boxing, wrestling, pankration (Martial Arts), and chariot races. About 40,00 spectators would have packed into the stadium each day.
Some interesting facts:
- All Athletes competed naked.
- Wrestlers and pankration competitors competed with bodies covered in oil.
- Corporal punishment awaited those guilty of a false start on the track.
- There were only two rules in pankration: no biting, no gouging.
- Athletes in the combat sports had to indicate their surrender by raising their index fingers- at times they died before they could do this.
Let’s discuss & talk…….
- What similarities do the Olympic Games of today have with the Ancient Olympic Games ?
- What are the differences ?
- What does a person have to focus on to become an athlete for the Olympic Games ?