ancient Greek sports final
Discus
- part of pentathlon, never stand alone sport - made of metal, lead, occasionally stone - weights vary from 1.5 kg to 5.5 kg - 3 official ones kept in Olympia (weight standardized at 2.8 kg, 18 inches in diameter, flat on one side, convex on other) - heavier weights were used for training - event admired by audience and artists bc combo of power, strength, and technique - winner declared by distance thrown - usually held in one go on 4th day of games
Javelin
- part of pentathlon, never stand alone sport - performed w musical accompaniment - athletes were judged mainly by distance thrown, but also technique and rhythm - javelin made out of elder wood w bronze tip (no counterweight) - javelin used based on athlete weight and height - weight of javelin from 400g to 600g use of agyle or amentum = leather strap attached to the javelin, increased range and stability of javelin in flight
Long jump
- part of pentathlon, never stand alone sport - vatiras = starting/jumping line - skamma = middle, soft sand excavated area, where they would have jumped to, believe same pit as the one used for combat sports - halteres = counterweight, thrown back as jumping to propel athlete forward
Pankration
an olympic event that combined wrestling and boxing (all strength and all fights).
Boxing equipment
korykos (punching bag), leather bag filled w fig grains, sand, or flour. sparing partners used during training, hymantes (leather bands/straps), mellchae, oxys, metal bands/bars introduced during Roman period but never used in competitions
Pankration fights
no biting or gouging. Ano pankration = upper, first phase of fight, athletes fought upright, mostly using punches, like boxing. Kato pankration = lower, second phase of fight, once one athlete falls on the ground, becomes more like wrestling. various different techniques and strategies. fight only ends if one athlete concedes or ref calls it. casualties were rare but did happen
Wrestling equipment
no equipment but fights held in skamma (excavated part of stadium where ground is soft/sandy)
Wrestling fights
no punching, hitting, kicking, gouging, biting, or elbowing. grips allowed everywhere except genitals. finger crunching allowed but hotly disputed. athletes often whipped into "good conduct"
Boxing rules/regulations
no time limit, fight ends when boxer signals defeat and/or is incapacitated. no holding or gouging w fingers. any other blow acceptable, even w open hand (slapping allowed but frowned upon). all hits acceptable above the belt (most of the time). undefended blows as last resort, take turns
Wrestling scoring
only event that had scoring system by point, 3 points to declare victor. if opponents back or shoulder touches ground, referee can call point depending on how long they are touching ground. conceding point = raised finger, tap on ground, or voice. out of bounds but only as a result of successful grip or pin down. referee can start and stop fights
Roman gladiatorial games (origins and development)
originated from funerary games. First ever human sacrifices that were only for public entertainment. Gladiators were either damnatii (condemned criminals), noxii (enemies of the state), auctorati (contract volunteers). Developed into huge event but really only in western roman empire. Started building amphitheaters, built 403. Amphitheaters had separations btwn classes, separate entrances for gladiators, individual entrances/exits (like modern fb stadium). Colosseum had spikes on side of roof to add/retract roof cover. As games grew, introduced crowd control, parades, music, lotteries, circus, animal games. Gladiators = worshipped, skilled gladiators were paid up to 10 times average annual income, hired for sexual services. Downfall when Christianity started getting popular bc Christians were persecuted during games. Last gladiatorial games in 325 CE (last olympic = 393 CE)
Pankration major moves/strikes
punching (fist open or palm), kicking, counter offenses, arm locks (shoulder/elbow), choking, various throws and takedowns, "the limb crusher"