The Physical and Mental Training
The Ancient Greeks idealized physical fitness and mental discipline; those who excel in those areas are said to honour Zeus. Due to the ancients competitive nature the Olympics were formed to please the gods. Perhaps no other civilization has held physical well-being in such high regard.
One main way people to become fit is to practice a sport, and so sparring/mock combat. Another effective yet absurd way is to carry a calf overhead every day until it became a full-grown bull. Physical labour was constant and all done by hand. In addition to a persons training, daily life itself served as an excellent off-season body toning program.
When training time was low, many athletes simply ran or performed body-weight exercises at home as exercise. Many fitness programs can't compare to the grueling amounts of physical labor that was required back. Stone-cutters were known for their strength that served them well in grappling events. People who were messengers outperformed others in races. Even a persons job can affect ones health.
A developed body was equally as important as developed mind. A healthy body has to harbor an intelligent mind. It was commonly said, "exercise for the body and music for the soul."
Here is a small list on only a handful of Ancient Greek sports.
Foot Race: Originally the only even that consisted of the first 13 Olympics was a 200 yard race. This was later changed in the 14th game altering it to a 400-yard foot race.The women's racecourse was reduced than the men's by about a sixth. Since the Ancient Greeks believed that Ares, the god or war was fastest of the gods, winning in a race proved to be an admirable skill..
Wrestling:In the 18th Olympics, wrestling added. Players were anointed with oil and dusted with powder and fought naked. This sport was seen as a weapon-free way to train for the military. Since there were no weight match-ups, strength played in an important role.
Pentathlon: Along with wrestling, pentathlon was added in the 18th Olympic games. This consisted of five events in Greek gymnastics: running, jumping, wrestling, discus throwing, and javelin throwing.
~Dave's Article
One main way people to become fit is to practice a sport, and so sparring/mock combat. Another effective yet absurd way is to carry a calf overhead every day until it became a full-grown bull. Physical labour was constant and all done by hand. In addition to a persons training, daily life itself served as an excellent off-season body toning program.
When training time was low, many athletes simply ran or performed body-weight exercises at home as exercise. Many fitness programs can't compare to the grueling amounts of physical labor that was required back. Stone-cutters were known for their strength that served them well in grappling events. People who were messengers outperformed others in races. Even a persons job can affect ones health.
A developed body was equally as important as developed mind. A healthy body has to harbor an intelligent mind. It was commonly said, "exercise for the body and music for the soul."
Here is a small list on only a handful of Ancient Greek sports.
Foot Race: Originally the only even that consisted of the first 13 Olympics was a 200 yard race. This was later changed in the 14th game altering it to a 400-yard foot race.The women's racecourse was reduced than the men's by about a sixth. Since the Ancient Greeks believed that Ares, the god or war was fastest of the gods, winning in a race proved to be an admirable skill..
Wrestling:In the 18th Olympics, wrestling added. Players were anointed with oil and dusted with powder and fought naked. This sport was seen as a weapon-free way to train for the military. Since there were no weight match-ups, strength played in an important role.
Pentathlon: Along with wrestling, pentathlon was added in the 18th Olympic games. This consisted of five events in Greek gymnastics: running, jumping, wrestling, discus throwing, and javelin throwing.
~Dave's Article