Ancient Greek sport

1. Ancient Greek sport

2. What were Ancient Greek sports like? • The ancient Olympics were rather different from the modern Games. There were fewer events, and only free men who spoke Greek could compete. Also, the games were always held at Olympia instead of moving around to different sites every time.

3. Greek Olympic heroes! • Phidipedes was the best Olympic runner, he ran from Athens to Sparta, 150 miles, then to Marathon,26 miles, and then back to Athens,124 miles! He ran 300 miles! Silly fool. When he had told the people of Athens of the victory, his heart gave out and he died.

4. Running! • There were 4 types of races at Olympia. The stadion was the oldest event of the Games. Runners sprinted the length of the stadium. The other races were a 2-stade race and a long-distance run needed during their military service. • And if these races weren't enough, the Greeks had one particularly grueling event which we lack. There was also a 2 to 4-stade race by athletes in armor. This race was especially useful in building the speed and stamina that Greek men needed!

5. Boxing! • Ancient boxing had fewer rules than the modern sport. Boxers fought without rounds until one man was knocked out, or admitted he had been beaten. Unlike the modern sport, there was no rule against hitting an opponent when he was down. There were no weight classes within the men's' and boys' divisions; opponents for a match were chosen randomly. Instead of gloves, ancient boxers wrapped leather thongs around their hands and wrists which left their fingers free.

6. Chariots! • There were both 2-horse chariot and 4-horse chariot races, with separate races for chariots drawn by foals. Another race was between carts drawn by a team of 2 mules.

7. Riding. • Only wealthy people could afford to pay for the training, equipment, and feed of both the driver (or jockey) and the horses. As a result, the owner received the olive wreath of victory instead of the driver or jockey.