GreeceChapter 3

Mechikoff & Estes, A History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education, Fourth Edition © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Greek Influence Greeks developed much of the Western world’s

belief about the body and physical education Likely with Judaic and Phoenician influences

Two metaphysical systems in Greece Naturalistic: man’s nature is both spiritual and

corporeal (physical) Achieving balance is desired Emphasized physical and intellectual

education

Greek Metaphysics

Opposing views (cont.)Anti-naturalistic: man’s nature created by mind

Mind held in higher esteem than body Physical education not necessary

View of physical education: result of a specific metaphysical position

Both views held the mind in high esteem Differed on importance of the body Naturalistic view far more popular

Philosophical Positions: The Body

Dualism Explanation of human existence based upon

both metaphysical and theological beliefsSocrates and PlatoHas profound implications for physical

education Separates human existence into two parts,

mind and body.

Philosophical Positions: The Body

Dualism (cont.) Elevates mind over body—regulates the corporeal to

an inferior status Reality and truth revealed through the mind, not the

body Mind and ideas are eternal, the body decays Most dualists believe it is essential to develop

the intellectual ability over the physical Philosophy was the highest pursuit in Ancient Greece

Philosophical Positions: The Body

Dualism (cont.) Body is enemy of the mind Deceives as to what is real

Only in death is the mind truly free of the body Potentially damaging for view of physical

education

Plato: View of Physical Education

Initially seems that he doesn’t support it (Phaedo)

Later supports ideal education as harmony of mind (music) and body (gymnastics)

Does harmonious imply equality?

Classical Humanism

Emphasized existence as humans—welfare of the individual is most important Body was important

One’s purpose in the universe was to work out his destiny

Plato was not a humanist Emphasized mind more than the body

Classical Humanism

Greek gods thought of as ideal humansAnthropomorphicDepicted as having magnificent bodies (Zeus,

Apollo, Athena, etc.) Greeks wanted to resemble their gods

Sought to train and develop the body

Greek Ideals: Arete and Agon

Ideals that resonated with every Greek Greeks were most like the gods when

striving and competing for excellence The Greek ideal was the excellent

scholar-athlete-soldier

Greek Ideals: Arete and Agon

Herakles, wearing a cloak made from the skin of the Nemean lion

Greek Ideals: Arete and Agon

Arete is possible only while individual is striving Those who think they have attained it have lost it Have passed into hubris (excessive pride)

Arete includes virtue, skill, prowess, pride, excellence, valor, and nobility (Stephen Miller)

Greek Ideals: Arete and Agon

Arete was not limited to athletes Bestowed on public servants, poets,

philosophers, and soldiers

Greek Ideals: Arete and Agon

Agon: Homer referenced as a meeting place where athletic events were held

Expanded from athletic competitions Included competitions in music, poetry, public

speaking and other events

Evolved into the term agonistic (competitive) Became associated with the process (agony)

of preparing for competition of any kind

Greek Sport

Historical foundations Birth of Olympic Games (776 B.C.)Funeral Games honored the deceased and

pleased the GodsClimate in Greece allowed for physical activity

year round

Greek Sport: Historical Perspectives Romantic view: Rise and fall approach

Glory years in fifth and sixth centuriesDeclined with Roman conquest and

Christianity Traditional View

Sport evolved from games described by Homer

Greek Sport: Historical Perspectives

Modern sport historiansMany are “nontraditionalists”Sport grew out of Greek contact with

surrounding civilizations

Athens and Sparta: A Tale of Two City-States Greece composed of city-states

Not politically unified Athens and Sparta most famous Had highly contrasting cultures Athens: center of culture and learning Sparta: military power with warrior-citizens

Athens and Sparta: Views on Physical Education

SpartaObsessed with the militaryEducation was domain of the stateState’s purpose was to produce soldiersPhysical education was taken very seriouslyEducated Spartans were physically fit, good

soldiers

Athens and Sparta: Views on Physical Education

Physical education had prominent place Education of mind and body was essential Athenians were educated by their families Beliefs were similar to our health clubs

and personal trainers today

Athletic Participation of Greek Women Spartan women

Participated in gymnastics and rigorous physical fitness and sports programs

Common belief was that physical fitness and training were for both sexes

Spartan women competed in foot races and other sports

Athletic Participation of Greek Women Athenian women did not participate to

extent of Spartan women Euripides (426 B.C.): “A Spartan girl

could not be chaste if she wanted…They share the same race track and palaestra—a situation I find insufferable”

Married women were forbidden under pain of death from attending Olympic Games

Athletic Participation of Greek Women Held own athletic contests to honor wife of

Zeus (Hera) Included foot races Used same stadium at Olympia Took place after the Olympic GamesSame judges (Hellanodikai) as the Olympic

Games

Ancient Olympic Games

First recorded evidence of the Olympic Games: 776 B.C.

Olympic Games occurred every fourth year (Olympiad)

Games may have originated in the hundreds of festivals, mostly religious, held over the years

Athletic contests were a major activity in festivals across Greece; a number of stadiums survive

Panhellenic GamesLocation Name Honored

godVictory wreath

Olympia Olympic Games

Zeus Olive

Delphi Pythian Games

Apollo Laurel

Corinth Isthmian Games

Poseidon Pine

Nemea Nemean Games

Zeus Celery

Stadium at Olympia

Stadium at Delphi

Ancient Nemean Games

Race in Armor

Ancient Olympic Games

Elaborate statues and other art forms erected Celebrated military triumphs as well as athletic

success Greeks believed victory (athletics, military,

etc.) was ordained by the gods Olympia was a sacred location where victory

was rewarded Cheating occurred at Olympic Games as well

as other athletic festivals in Greek world Financial and material gain by victory in the Games

Ancient Olympic Games

Only males were permitted to compete and watch Married women were not allowed to attend, on pain of

death; virgins could attend Women who represented the priestess Demeter could

view the Games Showed the relationship between the ancient Games and

theology Women who owned a horse and chariot could enter the

competition—but not watch it Daughter of Spartan king was victorious in fourth century

B.C.

Ancient Olympic Games

By 472 B.C. games were five days long Half competitive events, half religious events

Also had non-athletic competition Competitions in arts, philosophy, poetry, music

Spirit of the games: originally religious Gave way to attitude of celebrity City states lured Olympians to their city by wealth

and material possessions

Ancient Olympic Games

Olympic champions became heroicClosest thing to a god as mortal can become.Given special privileges and could make vast

sums of money by continuing to win.Received a lifetime pension

Gift from aChampion Charioteer

Bronze statue, gift of the winner of theChariot race at the Pythian Games

Ancient Olympic Games Greeks believed in developing the mind and

body Olympics were pinnacle of this achievement

Plato, Aristotle and other famous philosophers gathered at Olympia

Theodosius I and II: first Christian emperors of Rome

Outlawed pagan cults in A.D. 393 Ordered destruction of pagan temples (including

temple at Olympia) in A.D. 435 Games tied to pagan religious buildings may then

have ceased at most locations; the Games may have continued at some locations for a time