Bend ~ Theme Thursday Image for 06.17.04

The Wrestlers, Detail. Roman statue at the Maryland Institute College of Art.
Ahh the ancient sport of wrestling were two men got naked in an arena full of spectators, greased their bodies with olive oil and tried to bend each other into various positions until one of them 'cried uncle!' This detail of a full scale pair of ancient wrestlers trying to bend one another into submission is my submission for this week's Theme Thursday challenge of Bend. And I also provide a little history lesson of the origins of the sport. Not only do you get a photograph this week, butt a history lesson as well. It's two for one! Learn a hundred things about me by clicking here. It's actually three for one. What a bargain.

Wrestling a very brief history
Origin:
The first recorded Olympic wrestling match occurred in the Olympics in 708 BC. Wrestling was highly valued as a form of military exercise without weapons. There were two distinct versions of the game, differing according to the holds and the methods of deciding the victor.

Variations:
Orthia pale (Upright and Proper Wrestling)
The object of this type of wrestling was simply to throw the opponent to the ground. Three falls constituted a loss for that opponent, and the winner was called the "triakter". The match continued without stops until one man emerged victorious.
Kato pale (Ground Wrestling)
Victory in this competition depended on one competitor acknowledging defeat. Defeat was indicated by raising one's right hand with the index finger pointed.

Rules of the Game:
Blows were not allowed.
Tripping was permitted.
No biting or gouging was allowed.
There was no weight distinction.
The wrestlers were anointed with olive oil then dusted with powder to make them easier to grasp. The competition took place in the "keroma", or beeswax, a muddy and sticky arena.

Characteristics of a Good Wrestler:
Since there was no weight provision in the Olympics, it is obvious that the sport required a strong and stout build. A special combination of agility, skill and craft were also necessary.

Additional Information:
With five victories at Olympia, perhaps the most famous and successful of Olympic wrestlers was Milo. When attempting his sixth Olympic victory at forty years old, he was finally beaten by a younger man.