The Ancient
Olympics
by CTCWeb Editors
The Events
Boxing
|
Origin |
According to myth, Apollo invented
boxing. See the myths of Apollo and Phorbas, and Polydeukes and
Amykos. Boxing was introduced as an Olympic event in 688 BCE. |
|
Equipment |
All boxers wore himantes,
a soft thong or strap of ox hide. These were wrapped around boxers’
hands to strengthen their fingers and wrists. The soft himantes
evolved into hard leather straps for harder blows. In the fourth
century BCE, himantes evolved into gloves, oxeis himantes,
with a layer of wool inside. Later the Romans used the caestus,
a weapon-like boxing glove, layered with iron and lead. |
|
Rules |
There was no time limit, no weight
classes, and lots determined opponents. A match ended when one
opponent raised one or two fingers indicating defeat. Officials
allowed rest periods. Blows to the genitals were
illegal and there was no holding. Athletes were not allowed to
wear pigskin himantes. To hasten the end of a match, competitors
could engage in a klimax, a voluntary episode in a boxing
match when the two boxers took turns standing still while the
other boxer pummeled him. The boxer being punched did not try
to avoid the blows. |
|
Images |
Two boxers fighting. Click here for a list of ancient boxing images. |
|
Text |
See Homer Iliad
23.664 and Pausanias, Description
of Greece, 5.8.4. |
|
Ancient Athlete |
The boxer Melankomas of Karia floated
like a butterfly but did not sting like a bee. He did not believe
a brave man caused injury to others or allowed others to injure
him. His style of boxing was purely defensive. During a match,
Melankomas exhausted his opponent by defending himself against
punches but never throwing any. Frustrated and exhausted, his
opponents gave up. |
Javelin
|
Origin |
The javelin was used for hunting
and in war and is mentioned as an event at the funeral games
held in honor of Patroklos in Book 23 of the Iliad. |
|
Equipment |
Athletes threw a light wooden pole
as tall as its user with a pointed end for target practice. Ancient
athletes used a thong to throw the javelin. The thong increased
the distance the athlete could throw the javelin and provided
a better grip to stabilize flight. |
|
Rules |
There were two types of javelin
competitions, throwing at a target and throwing for distance.
Athletes competing in the pentathlon threw the javelin for distance.
Contestants were allowed to take steps before the throw and the
javelin had to land in a defined area. The thrower used the same
throwing style used by modern javelin throwers. However, modern
javelin throwers do not use a thong to throw the javelin. Athletes
participating in the second type of javelin event had to throw
the javelin at a target while on horseback. At a gallop and at
a certain distance from the target, the contestant threw the
javelin and tried to hit the target. |
|
Images |
Click here for a list of ancient javelin images. |
|
Text |
See Pausanias, Description
of Greece, 5.8.4. |
|
Modern Athletes |
Terje Pedersen of Norway was the
first man to throw a javelin over 91 meters, or 300 feet. He
achieved this at the 1964 Olympic games. Elvira Ozolina of the
Soviet Union was the first woman to throw a javelin over 61 meter,
or 200 feet. |
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