How did a corpse win an ancient Olympic event?
How did a corpse win an ancient Olympic event?
Learn interesting facts about ancient Greek sports.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Transcript
WTFact: Ancient Greek sports
Athletes would compete naked and covered in olive oil.
Competing naked ensured freedom of movement, as clothes wouldn’t get in the way. The olive oil would be applied to the athletes’ bodies in order to prevent irritation from dust and sunburn.
Oil also helped prevent the loss of fluids and aided in the maintenance of internal body temperature.
Some speculate that there was also an aesthetic purpose to the oil––to attract attention to the muscles of the competitors.
The ancient Greeks didn’t care much for team sports.
Most ancient Greek sports focused on individual achievement, with athletes playing to win honor for their home city-states.
Among the most popular events were chariot racing, the long jump, and wrestling.
One of the few team sports was a ball game played by children. When the game was complete, the winners would be carried on the losers’ backs in celebration.
A corpse was once proclaimed the victor in an ancient Olympic event.
Champion fighter Arrichion of Phigalia was caught in a stranglehold by his opponent when he delivered a kick that broke his opponent’s foot.
The opponent immediately yielded—but the sudden move also broke Arrichion’s neck, immediately killing him.
Since his opponent had surrendered, though, Arrichion’s dead body was proclaimed the match’s victor.
Athletes would compete naked and covered in olive oil.
Competing naked ensured freedom of movement, as clothes wouldn’t get in the way. The olive oil would be applied to the athletes’ bodies in order to prevent irritation from dust and sunburn.
Oil also helped prevent the loss of fluids and aided in the maintenance of internal body temperature.
Some speculate that there was also an aesthetic purpose to the oil––to attract attention to the muscles of the competitors.
The ancient Greeks didn’t care much for team sports.
Most ancient Greek sports focused on individual achievement, with athletes playing to win honor for their home city-states.
Among the most popular events were chariot racing, the long jump, and wrestling.
One of the few team sports was a ball game played by children. When the game was complete, the winners would be carried on the losers’ backs in celebration.
A corpse was once proclaimed the victor in an ancient Olympic event.
Champion fighter Arrichion of Phigalia was caught in a stranglehold by his opponent when he delivered a kick that broke his opponent’s foot.
The opponent immediately yielded—but the sudden move also broke Arrichion’s neck, immediately killing him.
Since his opponent had surrendered, though, Arrichion’s dead body was proclaimed the match’s victor.