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Ancient Greek Olympics
Main Events
Pugilatus (Boxing)
| Boxing, also one of the oldest sports, has mythological
connections. Homer wrote about boxing as one of the games Achilles
held in honor of Patroklos. Boxers would wrap himantes
(leather straps) around their hands and wrists as reinforcement
and protection. Victory was declared when one of the boxers admitted
defeat. Besides being mentally and physically strong, boxers needed
a combination of agility, endurance, and a strong upper body.
Once the Romans took over control of the Olympics, boxers would
use a caestus (glove reinforced with iron) instead of the
leather straps. This turned the art of boxing into a deadly contest. |
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Chariot Racing
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Obelisk from Hippodrome in Istanbul
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Chariot Racing also had mythological and practical
connections in ancient Greece. Chariot races were included by
Homer in the games in honor of Patroklos. Chariots were used in
battle for protection and attack. The chariot consisted of two
or four horses and a cart with two wheels attached. Equestrian
events such as the chariot race took place in the hippodrome,
an open space with obelisks (pillars), one for the start
and finish, the other for the turn. Chariot racing was extremely
dangerous and accidents were very common. Chariot drivers |
| had to be brave and skillful with the horses and the whip. The
chariot races in the Ancient Greek Olympics were the inspiration
behind the chariot races the Roman World used as public spectacles.
The Romans, however, also added more violent aspects to the competition,
such as the ability to intentionally make an opponent crash. Such
violence was not allowed in the Greek World during athletic competition. |
Horse Racing
| Horse Racing was very similar to chariot racing, riders rode
the horses bareback instead of riding in a chariot. The horse
races also took place in the hippodrome. Horse races included
the keles, a race for adult horses and a rider, the kalpe,
or trot for mares, and also a race for foals. |
Horse at Museum in Ephesus
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