The importance of the Sports/Athletics in Ancient Greece

The genesis of sports in Greece and the Olympic Games is a significant element that highlights the rich cultural heritage of Greece.  Sports played an important role in the lives of ancient Greeks, and they were an essential part of their culture, everyday life, and beliefs.

The Greeks valued physical fitness as much as mental education. When children began their basic education, they learned writing and reading, mathematics, music and, of course, sports, because the Greeks believed that a healthy mind is in a healthy body. It is also said that the Greeks insisted on sports as a mean to achieve greater, human perfection. Sports were seen as a way to achieve excellence and become the best version of oneself.

The genesis of the Olympic Games

The Olympic Games date back to ancient Greece. The games were an integral part of religious festivals and ceremonies and were held in honor of Zeus, king of gods and men. The exact date of the first Olympic Games is not known, but is often given in written sources as 776 BC in Olympia, Greece. The ancient Greeks took athletics very seriously, and winning an Olympic competition was considered the highest honor. The winners were awarded olive wreaths, and their names were immortalized on a monument in Olympia  and they were considered heroes to their hometown.

Let’s meet important Greek origin words about athletics:

• decathlon/pentathlon: from the greek word deca  meaning “ten”/pente meaning “five” and athlon meaning “contest”. An athletic event comprising five/or ten different events for each competitor
• marathon: from the ancient city of Greece, Marathon.  A running race that is about 26 miles (42 kilometers) long.  That was the distance that Philippides, an athenian soldier, run in order to announce in Athens the victory of Greeces against the Persians.  
• gymnastic: from the greek word gymnazo meaning “to exercise naked”. Physical exercises designed to develop strength and coordination.  It is said that athletes in ancient times exercised and competed without clothing.
• gymnasium: from the greek word gymnazo meaning “to exercise naked”. A place for athletic exercises
• athlete: from the greek word Athlon meaning “contest”.  A person who competes in one or more sports involving physical strength, speed, power, or endurance.
• rhythmic gymnastic: from the greek word rhythmos meaning any regular recurring motion, symmetry.  A sport in which gymnasts perform on a floor with an apparatus: hoop, ball, clubs, ribbon and rope in a rhythm.
• Olympic Games from the ancient city of Greece, Olympia.  A series of international athletic contests held in a different country once every four years.
• Stadium:  from the Greek word stadion which was a unit of measurement equal to about 600 feet. The stadion was also the name of the racecourse in Ancient Greece where running events were held

Overall, the Greek language has given many words about sports in the European languages.

Stay tuned for more Greek language origin words.

Giovanna☀️