There is more than a seasonal difference between the first Olympic event in 776 BC and the Sochi Winter Olympics. Think clothless,sweaty Greeks, and you have the very first (summer) Olympics.
Most impressive and dangerous of the events listed in this video is the Pankration, an event that I daresay would draw previously disinterested Olympic fans from the worlds of televised wrestling and cage fighting. It gives me no pleasure to say that we – in America, are ready to rumble, and go 776 BC again! The fight, which is a no-holds barred, no balls spared, bang-up, only rules out eye-gouging and biting. If you picture Greek philosophers as a peaceful sort, this video may open your eyes. They had some rather tough policies which wouldn’t fly – even in Putin’s Russia!
Aside from the absence of women and snow, the Greek Olympics were significantly different in many other ways, here are but a few. Did I mention there were no women – anywhere? Ah, I did, didn’t I. They were as conspicuous in their absence as the ads for NIKES and sports equipment are glaringly present today.
In the beginning…Actually, no one truly knows what the origins were of the very first games. One myth suggests that Heracles (the divine son of the god Zeus) ran a race in Olympia and decreed that it be repeated every four years. There are no videos of this event, therefore until Mythbusters takes it on…It will remain a myth – and beyond.
So, why the sweaty, clothesless perfection of the athletes on display? It’s believed that the Greek tradition of athletic nudity started at the games in 720 BC, most likely introduced by the Spartans or Megarian Orsippus, who may have tired of tripping over their togas. It is from this practice that we have our word “gymnasium” – derived from the Greek word “gymnos” meaning “clothless”. Competing clothless was meant as a tribute to the gods and to encourage aesthetic appreciation of the male body.
No fan of P.E. or Gym class, I am forever grateful that the word ‘gymnasium’ had lost all associations its “clothless” roots far before the twentieth century. Heaven knows what ailments my classmates and I would have had to create and act out for the benefit of our sardonic gym teacher.