IMPORTANCE

SITE

OLYMPIAD

RULES

ATHLETIC EVENTS

Boxing

Equipment

Rules

Characteristics

Javelin

Pentathlon

Discus

Jumping

Running

Equestrian contests

Pankration

Wrestling

Messengers/Trumpeters

OLYMPIC VICTORS

ART

Boxing

Boxing was introduced in the Olympic Games in 688 BC and is one of the oldest sports. The boys' event was added in the Olympic games in 616 BC. Boxing was first mentioned in Homer's Iliad as one of the games held in honor of Patroclus, the winner of which being Epeios. It is also mentioned in Odyssey, as part of the games held in the island of the Phaeaceans. According to Greek mythology, Apollo was the inventor of boxing; he defeated and killed Phorbas, a boxer who urged travelers passing through Delphi to compete with him. Apollo outboxed Ares in Olympia, as well.

The example of a boxing match in ancient mythology was the contest between Polydeukes and Amykos, the king of the Bebrykes, who lived in Bithynia on the Black Sea. This king would challenge all foreigners traveling through his country in a boxing match against him and killed them all. Polydeukes proved to be too tough a competitor for the king and he made him promise to leave the foreigners in peace.

 

Topography:
Short description of the monuments at ancient Olympia

3D reconstructions:
Some of the most important buildings in ancient Olympia rendered in three-dimensions.

VRML:
3D reconstruction of the Temple of Zeus in ancient Olympia.

Other games:
Short reference on other famous contests in ancient Greece

In the first person:
Young Ariston shares his experience in the Olympic Games

Olympic victors:
Database of the ancient Olympic victors based on each athletic event and each Olympiad

Specimen sources

Bibliography