Running:
The stade-race, also known as the short foot-race determined the length of the stadium at Olympia. This 200 yard (180-metre) sprint is the most ancient event and the only one at the first thirteen Olympic Games (from 776 to 724 B.C.). The winner of this race had the Olympiad (period of four years, associated with the Olympic Games) named after them.
Eventually, other foot-races were added to the Olympic Games program. The diaulos, consisted of two lengths of the stadium opposite to the dolichos, which was a long distance race that consisted of about twenty to twenty-four lengths of the stadium (Swaddling 57).
Additionally, at Olympia there was the hoplitodromia, also known as the armor race. It was the last of the running events to be added to the program in 520 B.C. In this event, competitors wore a helmet and lower leg armor and carried a shield (58). This was the last race in the program because it brought the events to a grand finale (59).
Additionally, at Olympia there was the hoplitodromia, also known as the armor race. It was the last of the running events to be added to the program in 520 B.C. In this event, competitors wore a helmet and lower leg armor and carried a shield (58). This was the last race in the program because it brought the events to a grand finale (59).
Combat Sports:
Boxing
Boxing is a very ancient sport, that dates back as early as the Mycenaean period. It is the hero Theseus who is given credit for its invention by way of Athena. The origins of boxing also came from the Spartans. They were said to have fought without helmets, as they were not considered a manly form of protection. In 688 B.C. Onomastos of Smyrna, the victor of Olympia created the rules for boxing and introduced the sport to the Olympic Games. Contests lasted for hours and were known to be rather violent (Swaddling 78).
The event did not take place in a ring so that the opponents could never corner one another and they occurred at midday so that the sun never got in the way of their vision. The tactics of ancient boxing were that all blows were to the head. Most damage was done to the nose, cheek and chin (79) Blows below the belt could not be judged however certain parts of the body were considered off limits to blows. The victor was decided when one of the boxers was unable to continue. He would signal this by raising a single finger in the air (Miller 55).
Many exercises were important during boxing training. Such as shadow-fighting: skiamachia and korykos, attacking the punch-ball. These would help to strengthen the boxers muscles and prepare them for the fight (Swaddling 80-81).
The event did not take place in a ring so that the opponents could never corner one another and they occurred at midday so that the sun never got in the way of their vision. The tactics of ancient boxing were that all blows were to the head. Most damage was done to the nose, cheek and chin (79) Blows below the belt could not be judged however certain parts of the body were considered off limits to blows. The victor was decided when one of the boxers was unable to continue. He would signal this by raising a single finger in the air (Miller 55).
Many exercises were important during boxing training. Such as shadow-fighting: skiamachia and korykos, attacking the punch-ball. These would help to strengthen the boxers muscles and prepare them for the fight (Swaddling 80-81).
Wrestling
The first event that was not a footrace to be added to the Olympic Games was wrestling in 708 B.C. There were two different types of wrestling: upright also known as proper wrestling, and ground wrestling. In upright, the object was to throw your opponent to the ground (Miller 47).
The wrestling took place in the skamma, a sanded area of ground while ground-wrestling took place in an area that was watered in order to make it muddy. Wrestlers would cover themselves in olive oil and then dust themselves with powder in order to create a grip.
Up to sixteen competitors would take part in a contest, each marked with the letters of the alphabet. From there they would draw from a helmet or a large bronze bowl and the wrestlers who drew the same letter would fight one another (Swaddling 73).
The wrestler who was able to throw his opponent three times before suffering three falls became the winner. Wrestling was regarded as one of the best demonstrations of speed and strength (Miller 50).
The wrestling took place in the skamma, a sanded area of ground while ground-wrestling took place in an area that was watered in order to make it muddy. Wrestlers would cover themselves in olive oil and then dust themselves with powder in order to create a grip.
Up to sixteen competitors would take part in a contest, each marked with the letters of the alphabet. From there they would draw from a helmet or a large bronze bowl and the wrestlers who drew the same letter would fight one another (Swaddling 73).
The wrestler who was able to throw his opponent three times before suffering three falls became the winner. Wrestling was regarded as one of the best demonstrations of speed and strength (Miller 50).
Pankration
The pankration was the most violent ancient sport, which combined wrestling (pale) and boxing (pyx). It was introduced to the Olympic Games in 648 B.C. Brutality was a key feature of the pankration. Both upright and ground wrestling were allowed in the pankration. The competitors were forced to learn holds in which when they fall they can still win and they must endure many unsafe wounds (Miller 57).
In the beginning of the competition the contestants usually fought with their hands, twisting each other's limbs. Many, bent ankles and twisted arms, threw punches and even jumped on their opponents. Although gouging eyes out and biting were forbidden, competitors still tried to get away with either of them (Swaddling 76).
In the beginning of the competition the contestants usually fought with their hands, twisting each other's limbs. Many, bent ankles and twisted arms, threw punches and even jumped on their opponents. Although gouging eyes out and biting were forbidden, competitors still tried to get away with either of them (Swaddling 76).
Pentathlon:
This five-event competition, as the name suggests, entered the Olympic program in 708 B.C. along with the pale (wrestling). Two of the five competitions were both apart of the pentathlon and as independent events: the stadion race and wrestling. The other three competitions however were only apart of the pentathlon: discus, long jump, and javelin throw (Miller 60).
It is currently unclear how they decided the winner of the pentathlon however it seems that in order to win an athlete needed to be good in more than one sport. So if the athlete were to win the first three competitions he most likely would be declared the overall winner of the pentathlon and the running and wrestling events would be cancelled (Swaddling 62).
It is currently unclear how they decided the winner of the pentathlon however it seems that in order to win an athlete needed to be good in more than one sport. So if the athlete were to win the first three competitions he most likely would be declared the overall winner of the pentathlon and the running and wrestling events would be cancelled (Swaddling 62).
Equestrian Events:
All forms of horse races were held on the second day of the Olympic Games in the hippodrome ("horse track"). In early periods, this structure was simply an open ground. At Olympia, the hippodrome was in the shape of a rectangle and it lay to the south of the stadium. The length of the hippodrome was unknown, but estimated at approximately half a kilometer. All horse races in ancient times were twelve laps in length (Herrmann 110).
Chariot Racing:
There were two different types of chariot races. Chariots drawn by four horses (tethrippon) which was introduced to the Olympic program in 680 B.C. and chariots drawn by two horses (synoris) which was introduced in 408 B.C. Mules were also added in 500 B.C. but then later taken away in 444 B.C. (Herrmann 114).
The most hazardous part of the race was the turn. It was crucial to be ahead at this point in the race as if you were ahead, you would stand a good chance at maintaining the lead till the end (Swaddling 83). However, just before the turn the chariots would have to pass the 'horse-terrorizer' also known as taraxippos. The taraxippos was a circular altar at the end of the south bank that commonly struck panic for the horses (85).
Horse-Races:
At the Olympics, the horse-races would take place after the chariot events so that the ground would be well prepared for the horses. Jockeys, like charioteers were usually paid servants however, some wealthy owners did compete themselves (Swaddling 87).
The original horse-race was over six stades (around 1,200 meters). There was also a race for colts and for mares. In the mares races the rider would run alongside the horse for the last stretch (89).