Ancient Wrestling

Ancient Wrestling Individualized Project Presented By: Matthew Dabbs Introduction • Wrestling has been done for several years • Several Ancient societies have evidence of ancient wrestling – Greek – Egyptian • Greeks developed wrestling by creating for practice in sport Topics of Interest • • • • • History Forms and Variations The Event/Rules Qualities of a good wrestler Famous Wrestler Milon Brief History • Combat Sport – Two men/boys would wrestle – Unlike other combat sports • Not the goal to completely kill or injure an opponent • Way to score was win individual victories by making your opponent “fall” – Required technique and skill to successfully win the matches. Rules and Regulations • Choking? – Would be cautioned against using a illegal strangle hold – Some accounts say it might have been okay • Greeks were known for their rough tactics • Striking was illegal • Limb-threatening holds were legal – Accounts of breaking fingers – Accounts of attempts to break ribs with holds Rules and Regulations… • Wrestling matches took place inside a “skamma” – Throwing an opponent out of the “skamma” would count as victory, but not to be confused with a fall • No equipment was necessary unless partaking in Belt wrestling • Two men and a Judge • Individual or Pentathlon Orthia Pale vs. Alindesis • “Upright” wrestling - Orthia Pale – Throwing the opponent on the ground – Usually scored with first to three falls • Victory is called a “Triakter” • “Ground Wrestling – Alindesis – A throw was not enough – Continues until one of the two competitors was compelled to admit defeat or withdrawals – Similar to Pankration, but instead of striking the opponent, special holds were applied Examples of Orthia Pale Belt Wrestling • Being able to grasp at the competitors belt or clothing • Popular in England, Middle East, Far East Qualities of a Good Wrestler • Posture and Stance – Protect from being tripped – Stands on balls of feet no heal • Attack wrists or neck – Grabbing the wrist gives control of the arm, thus exposing the neck for a hold or preparation for a hold Qualities of a Good Wrestler… • Hip Throw – Trademark of an ancient wrestler • Pulling on head – Braces all weight on one leg – Exposes being tripped • Head lock then trip Qualities of a Good Wrestler… • Leg Trip – Easier if off balance – Lift ones leg to trip other exposes yourself – Accounts of ankles being injured • Under hook – Take hold of opponents shoulder – Gaining Control of both shoulders – Could lead to a waist lock Qualities of a Good Wrestler… • Waist Hold – Serious disadvantage – Hard to counter – Allows opponent to pick up the other for the throw • • • • • Shoulder Throw Standing Throw Arm locks Leg Hook Leg holds Famous Wrestler • Milon of Kroton – Son of Diotimos – First Victory at Olympia in boy’s wrestling – Victor five times at Olympia – Seven wins at Pythian – Nine Wins at Nemean – Ten at Isthmian – Several Others Milon… • Known for his large quantities of food eaten – Twenty “minae” of meat – Drinking most win contest • Three “choai” equivalent to nine liters • Superhuman Strength – Grip – “Man of Iron” Milon… • Defeated at Olympia to contest for a 7th time by Timasitheos (28 years old) • Beat not with strength but fatigue – Match lasted a long time – Milon would eventually wear out to the younger Timasitheos • Interesting Death – Hand caught in tree trunk and eaten by wild beasts Milon… • Stories – Milon and the Pomegranate • He used to hold a pomegranate in such a way that no one could make him release it but did not hurt the fruit • Even More – Milon and the Cord • He used to tie a cord around his forehead like a headband or crown then hold his breathe to make his veins bigger and he could break the chord The End