Pankration

Origin:
The pankration was added in 648 BC in the 33rd Olympiad. Greeks believed that the pankration was founded by the great hero of Attica, Theseus, who combined wrestling and boxing together in order to defeat the fierce Minotaur in the labyrinth. It is thought that the pankration developed out of the primitive way of fighting used by man when he came across an enemy, either human or animal. According to the author Philostratos, it is an excellent exercise in training warriors.

Equipment:
There is no equipment used in the pankration (no boxing gloves).

Rules of the Game
All the holds used in wrestling and all the blows used in boxing were allowed. The only things forbidden were biting and gouging. Therefore, the pankration was the most dangerous and toughest of all events, since victory was sought with no consideration of the danger to the body or the life of one's opponent.

The pankration had two forms:

• Kato pankration, in which the contest continued after the opponents fell to the ground. It was used in games.
• Ano pankration, in which the opponents had to remain standing. It was used in training or in preliminary contests. This was a much lighter and safer form.

The fighter who fell to the ground first was in a difficult position, for his opponent was able to fall on top of him and immobilize him with his legs, leaving his hands free to strike him or apply a strangle-hold. The fighter who fell would try to turn on his back and use his arms and legs to protect himself. Slightly built competitors often deliberately fell on their backs, a device called hyptiasmos (back fall).

Kicking played an important part in the pankration. A kick to the stomach was called gastrizein (the stomach-trick). The hold, in which a fighter held his opponent's foot as tightly as he could to make him lose his balance, was called apopternizein (the heel-trick).

Characteristics of a Good Pankratiast:
According to Philostratos, the perfect pankratiasts were those whose physical build was such that one might describe men suited for the event as being the best wrestlers amongst the boxers and the best boxers amongst the wrestlers. Psychological qualities like courage and endurance were also important.

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