Human Weapon [HQ] - Pankration: The Original Martial Art part 2/5

The recent popularity of no-holds-barred combat like Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has revived interest in Pankration, a mixed martial art of ancient Greece that was first introduced into the Olympic Games in 648 B.C., at the 33rd Olympiad. The name Pankration is a combination of two Greek words--pan (all) and kratos (strength)--and can be translated as all encompassing or all powerful. A combination of Hellenic boxing and wrestling, Pankration became the most popular event of the Olympics, adding legends of its own larger-than-life heroes to Greeces rich history. Hercules himself was said to be a pankratist, while Alexander the Great reportedly recruited these skilled fighters for his armys invasion of India in 326 B.C.

Pankration matches took place in a square arena, designed to keep the fighters in close proximity to each other. A referee officiated, using a rod or switch to enforce the rules, which were limited. There was no biting, eye gouging or scratching, but all other techniques were allowed. Kicking was an integral part of Pankration, particularly kicks from below to the opponents stomach and groin, and leg sweeps aimed at knocking the opponent off his feet. Much of the fighting took place on or close to the ground, with the opponents grappling with each other and employing techniques such as hair pulling, punches, joint locks, choke holds and elbow and knee strikes. Pankration bouts normally ended only when one competitor was knocked unconscious or raised his hand in submission; some fights resulted in the death of one or even both of the competitors, most commonly from strangulation.

The Roman Emperor Theodisius I abolished the Olympic Games in 393 A.D., and it was not until 1896 that the modern Olympics began in Athens, Greeces capital city. By that time, Pankration existed more in legend, and in historical and artistic representations of ancient Greek society, than in actuality. Although it never entirely died out in some Greek communities, it was not included in the new Olympics. More recently, however, renewed interest in Pankration resulted in the foundation of the World Pankration Federation, an organization dedicated to the promotion of the sport. The federation runs competitive events, including the World Pankration Championships, and has campaigned for Pankration to be returned to its Olympic status.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• martial
• arts
• human
• weapon
• training
• combat
• pankration
• greece
• bill
• duff
• jason
• chambers
• xkatienikki07

[infokemp]

@ninja77c50 I am interested in Roman history & Pankration - please let me know the names of the authors of these texts from 12,000BC.

All the best

David

[MfalmeBwana]

@ninja77c50 The oldest written evidence of Pankration can be found in the " Argonautica" Originally written in the 3rd Century B.C. by Apollonius Rhodius. Today's info on Greece and Africa comes from the Greek historian Herodotus.That Herodotus asserts the probability that the "names of nearly all the gods came to Greece from Egypt" is not surprising, since Greek tradition held Egypt to be one of the worlds oldest civilizations and often ascribes to them the origin of many cultural elements.

[ninja77c50]

@MfalmeBwana yea right!! only 4000BC?? there are greek texts that mention pankration from 12,000 BC!

[petroziom]

ju jitsu was before judo... judo is just sport,martial arts was invented fot war and later for intertaiment. Im actual fighter, i train ju jitsu and pankration for skills and go to judo turnaments coz is safe sport.

[AmaneX]

@jackassofamerica Judo came from Jiu Jitsu.... learn 2 accurately quote history

[fredyzpt]

@jackassofamerica japanese jiu jitsu had striking too...it was more stand up as well, it's dying, no one is practicing it now, gracie jiu jitsu over took it

[metalguitar1011]

I wrestle, we use the shoulder throw and it hurts

[jackassofamerica]

@xXRauseXx1 jiu jitsu came from judo. learn 2 gracie history

[MfalmeBwana]

According to the famed Grandmaster of the Kyokushinkai Karate system Masutatsu Oyama in his book "Advanced Karate" published by Japan Publication, Inc., Tokyo pg. 13 and i quote " The oldest known records concerning combat techiques, hieroglyphic scrolls from Egyptian tombs, dating as far back as 4000 B.C." Kwa Asilia Avita Sanaa (The Original Martial Art)!!!

[myguitardidyermom12]

@xXRauseXx1 I think it was inferred that jiu-jitsu, which developed from Chinese influence,which got it's martial tradition from india, which, as thought by some historians, recieved it's martial tradition from Alexander the Great's army when he invaded.