Similarities Between Ancient Greek Games And Spectacles

Greeks: Games and Spectacles

Before there was todays modern Olympics which have in many ways gone in a different direction than the first Panhellenic games of ancient Greece. The Olympic, Pythian, Nemean, Isthmian games all represented something different than what is seen today. In which this was known as the circuit of crown games. These ancient Olympic games was a much more than just winning events like it is today, in ancient times it was a celebration with competition in everything from poets, musicians, athletes, and horse races. It was one of the first times that there was organized sport in which physical competition was adhered by the public for prizes. When Plato believed that appropriate celebrations and sacrificial offerings should be proposed for ideal state laws in Greece to send as many people as possible to Olympic games (Skrzhinskaia pg70). It was in these local and civil games that most would compete and lead to the growth of the Olympic games celebrations. These celebrations were to be known as panegyriae which are events for all to attend, but that did not mean that every Greek state was at peace. With the games arriving it allowed for an armistice forbidding any armies to go into another state and allowing for safe

Each proved to be grueling in their own way, in wrestling throwing your opponent down three times would guarantee victory. While over in the boxing matches their gloves were leather straps that would turn into more weapons than for protection but the only rules were that there were no low blows and holding. The last pankration which was a combination of boxing and wrestling that only prohibited not biting and gouging. With these brutal sports and the mentality of some athletes that it was “all or nothing” the desire to win was often greater than the risk of death. These combat events showed the military developments of the