Nathan Landau daily life essay-Athletes

Nathan Landau

Dave Whitson

Humanities 9r

12-3-09

The Athletes of Athens

Athletes played an important role in the culture of Athens. They were also looked upon as respected citizens of Athens. “The physical perfection of people in Athens and all of ancient Greece was a very important goal to all people” (Garland). A person who was physically fit was considered superior to others of the same class who were not fit. The ones that could play sports were looked upon even higher. The Olympics were also a very important part of culture in Athens and ancient Greece. It was the greatest sporting event to take place in ancient times.

Athletic training was vital for boys of all social backgrounds manly because the ability to serve in war depended on physical ability. Popular sports played for training children for war in ancient Athens included among others, javelin throwing and the hoplitodromos, a foot race in armor. At the age of seven, the children of Athens were introduced to a mandatory personal trainer referred to as a paidotribês. This trainer worked with the children mainly in the school of wrestling and training, a place called a palaistra¹. There, they would work on basic athletic skills such as wrestling and conditioning. These training centers featured closed cement walls that provided shelter from sun and rain. The buildings were structured the same way as a traditional Greek house.

The older or more mature athletes worked out naked in gymnasiums. The traditional gymnasium consisted of a level open field where one could practice javelin throwing or running. It was also equipped with proper bathrooms and changing rooms. The gyms were located near the river so the athletes could refresh themselves after they worked out. The gyms of Athens were also used as a gossip spot for older and veteran athletes who sat in shaded areas by running water to talk about other athletes or local sporting events that took place in Athens. In the later days of ancient Athens, the gymnasium became a place for philosophy and study.

Every athlete of Athens strived to reach the Olympics because it was considered the peak of greatness. Competitive sports played a huge part in Athenian and Greek culture. Although there were hundreds of local sporting events a year, the Olympics were the highest honor. The Olympics were seen as “remarkable testimony to the Greek ability to rise above politics at least on a temporary basis” (Garland). Never once in a thousand year period were the Olympics ever canceled. During the Olympics if it was a time of war all soldiers would drop their weapons. The Olympics were also held in high honor by many gods including Zeus, Apollo, and Poseidon.

The first day of the games was set aside for oath taking and praying. Winning was so important to the athletes of the Olympics that they would pray for victory or death. They did not want to be shamed as losers. Some of the more extreme athletes would participate in the chariot race that is twelve laps up and down a straight track. The chariots were usually driven by four horses, each chariot had two wheels. This was considered the most dangerous and spectacular sport of the Olympic Games because chariots had to make 180 degree turns on tracks and there often were head on collisions. As a result, the death rate of people and horses was very high. All other events took place at the Olympic Stadium. Athletes who entered the Olympics in discus, long jump, javelin throwing and wrestling competed at this stadium. Many wrestlers, long jumpers and javelin throwers came out of ancient Athens because those were the sports the facilities of Athens best accommodated for practice. The afternoon Olympic Games were given to body contact sports such as wrestling, boxing, and pakron, an “all combat sport”. All these sports had no rules and it was very common for a player to suffer serious injury or death.

The victors of all Olympic sports took home a prestige olive wreath and received many benefits from their home city, such as being held a hero, lifetime fame, and money. In some cases, they would receive meals on public expense for life. There were no rewards for second and third place. The losers spent many years of shame. “They, when their mothers meet them, have no sweet laughter around them, arousing delight. But in back streets they cower, out of their enemies’ way, bitten by disaster” (Garland).

Although many athletes were looked upon in Athens as heroes, it was no easy life for an ancient athlete. It was the goal of many people to become fit and ready to honor their city in the Olympic Games. Athenian artwork depicted people in “perfect” shape as in an athlete or a hero of war. If you were a successful athlete, life could be very prestigious and rewarding. Athletes were often richer than most people. Being an athlete in Athens was a tremendous achievement.

1 A famous college basketball arena named the Palestra sits in Philadelphia, Pa.