Athletic Contributions of Ancient Greece

Ancient Olympic Race

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The Ancient Greek Olympics Origins-

○ most of our knowledge from the early games is from the greek historians Strabo(64 BC - 24 AD) and Pausanias(110 - 180 AD)

○ dedicated to the gods■ specifically to Zeus■ there were many rituals and times of sacrifice during the

games■ the dominant competitors gained possession of the

sanctuary which was a political asset ○ Accounts of the first games

■ took place in Olympia in 776 BC■ was thought that a breed of human like creatures raced in order to

entertain Zeus ● Zeus awarded them metals based on their performance

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The Ancient Greek Olympics Origins Continued -

■ other sources claim that the dactyls never raced but instead a cook from Elis named Koroibos was the first champion of the games

○ it is assumed that many greeks put this event in higher regard than other religious ones ■ The other main festival being the Eleusinian Mysteries

○ the games settle disputes between city-states○ games demonstrated a balance between spirituality

and physical strength ○ the ancient olympic games slowly died out due to the

influence of Roman culture and religion

The Ancient Greek Olympics

Main Events- ● the stadion was the main event until 724 BC

- it was a race that lasted for the length of a stadium (192 m)- typically lasted for around a day

● Chariot racing(Equestrian) was first introduced in 680 BC- the games were extended by a day to accommodate for the duration of the new event - a chariot team was said to have cost 5 talents

● Eventually other events such as Javelin, discus and wrestling were officially added

Equestrian

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The Ancient Greek Olympics

Impact on Modern Society-● The first modern Olympics was held in 1896 in Athens,

Greece● Many attributes of the new games differ from the original

○ religion is less emphasized ○ many new games were added○ the games now focus on humanity and our collective

achievements rather than the earlier competition

The Greek Gymnasium

Origins-● The Greek Gymnasium was a place that young men

came to study many things. ● It was a training facility. ● Inside the Gymnasium the young men were usually

naked while wrestling.● Most important cities in Greece had one. ● Olympians would usually travel in xystos. ● At the gym the boys trained and the men relaxed. ● The competitions that occurred were usually for a

person like the gods.

The Greek Gymnasium

Impact on the world-● They didn’t become popular. ● In the middle ages a revival of sorts came by

again.● The gym is no longer for one purpose.● Several cultures did eventually use it.● It started in the US around the 1820s.● Around 1900 the gyms became the modern

day ones we know now.

Famous Greek Athletes● Astylos of Croton from southern Italy.- 6 victory olive wreaths in 3 Olympiad. -In his first 2 he took part as a member of Syracuse. -The people of Croton did not like this.● Milon of Croton.-6 time olympic champ.-Wrestler-He was the best wrestler until his 7th try.● Kyniska of Sparta-Daughter of King Archidamus.-First woman in the Olympics.-She participated in the chariot races and equestrian

events.

Bibliography-Andronicos, Manolis. "The Games Of The Gods." Humanities 17.3 (1996): 27-29. ERIC.

Web. 25 Aug. 2013.

Shelden, Miriam F. Greek Athletics In The Writings Of The Greek Historians. n.p.: 1975. ERIC. Web. 25 Aug. 2013.

Gribble, David. "Gold, Silver And Bronze." History Today 62.8 (2012): 18. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 29 Aug. 2013.

Baker, Rosalie F. "5 Days At Olympia." Calliope 18.2 (2007): 10. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 29 Aug. 2013.

Yalouris, Nicolaos. "A Brief History." Humanities 17.3 (1996): 30. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 29 Aug. 2013.

Picture CiationsTomkin, Dave, Mr. Pompei Gymnasium. N.d. Photograph. Grecce. Flickr.com. Dave Tomkin. Web. 25 Aug. 2013. <http://www.flickr.com/groups/pompeii/pool/with/7442651186/lightbox/>.

Planet Fitness Opens 500th Location. N.d. Photograph. Illinois. Clubsolutionsmagazine. Web. 25 Aug. 2013. <http://clubsolutionsmagazine.com/2012/01/planet-fitness-opens-500th-location/>.

N.d. Photograph. Hubpages. Hubpages Inc(R), 2010. Web. 25 Aug. 2013. <http://epsilon5.hubpages.com/hub/A-Chronology-of- Games-2>.

Greek Chariot Race. N.d. Photograph. School Work Helper. Web. 28 Aug. 2013.

<http://schoolworkhelper.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/greek-chariot-race.jpg>.

Ancient Greek Race. N.d. Photograph. Static Guim. Web. 28 Aug. 2013.

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