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Sports in the Ancient Mediterranean
Sports and athleticism was a cornerstone of life in the ancient Mediterranean. Hunting, dancing, gymnastics, and charioteering were favorite sports of the elite in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The Greeks and Romans were especially...
Collection
Ancient & Medieval Sports
In this collection of resources, we examine some of the sports that thrilled ancient and medieval audiences from the fast and furious chariot races of the Circus Maximus to the colour and pageantry of medieval jousts. We look at the hockey...
Article
Games, Sports & Recreation in Ancient Egypt
Although the ancient Egyptians are often depicted as death-obsessed and dour, they actually had a great appreciation for life and their culture reflected their belief in existence as an eternal journey imbued with magic. Life was a gift from...
Definition
Pankration
Pankration is an ancient martial art which mixes wrestling and boxing. The sport can be traced as far back as the second millennium BCE in the territory of ancient Greece. Its name derives from the ancient Greek words pan (all) and kratos...
Article
Pherenike the Female Olympic Trainer
Pherenike (l. c. 388 BCE, also known as Kallipateira) was an athlete from Rhodes who, because she was a woman, could not compete in the Olympic Games and, as a married woman, was not allowed to even watch them. Defying these rules and risking...
Image Gallery
Gallery of Chariots in the Ancient World
The chariot was the premier weapon of war in the ancient world for more than 700 years, and was adopted by empires such as the Hittites, Egyptians, and Assyrians. Chariots were used not only in warfare, but also for sport, particularly...
Video
Dr. Alan Peatfield, UCD 'Greek combat sports: from image to technique'.
Dr. Alan Peatfield, UCD 'Greek combat sports: from image to technique'.
Sport & Competition in Ancient Greece and Rome, 14-15 June 2012 British Museum.
The paper was presented by Dr. Hazel Dodge (TCD).
Article
Sports, Games & Entertainment in the Elizabethan Era
Leisure activities in the Elizabethan era (1558-1603 CE) became more varied than in any previous period of English history and more professional with what might be called the first genuine entertainment industry providing the public with...
Image
Stadium Entrance, Olympia
The Krypte, which was the official entrance to the stadium of Olympia (200 BCE).
Image
Greek Athletes
Greek athletes. From the base of a funerary kouros, later included in the Themistokleian Wall of Athens. 510-500 BCE. (National Archaeological Museum, Athens)