© 2014 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Summer, Egypt, China and Mesoamerica Chapter 2 Mechikoff, R.A., A History and Philosophy of

© 2014 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Summer, Egypt, China and Mesoamerica

Chapter 2

Mechikoff, R.A., A History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education, Sixth Edition © 2014, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.


Introduction: Cultural Components of Civilization

Like today, ancient societies valued Athletic ability

Physical fitness

Competition

Play

These similarities serve evolutionary purpose E.g. survival of the fittest

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Introduction: Sport and Adaptation

Hunt for food as individuals and team

Best hunter was honored and participated in playful activities

Desire to survive, compete for honor, and win is part of culture and expressed through games and sports

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Introduction: Sport and Warfare

Warfare was routine in ancient times Formed armies, physical training

programs, and warriors Required for military combat training:

endurance running, wrestling, and swimming

Combat sports emerged which are still popular today martial arts, boxing, wrestling, spear throwing

(javelin), and archery

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Introduction: Common Themes

Need to

Insure survival

Compete

Be victorious

Play

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Sumer—4000 B.C. World's first known civilization

Located in Mesopotamia, a region lying in present-day Iraq

“cradle of civilization”

Sumerian civilization flourished more than 5,000 years ago

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Sumerian Society

Developed cuneiform writing Replaced oral tradition as first

written system of communication

Valued law and order

Created a collection of laws called “Hammurabi's Code” 1800 B.C.

Kept records, literary tradition

Theology: initially, Sumerians believed they existed to serve the gods

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Sumerian Society: Changing Theology

Rulers (kings) broke free from subservience to gods

Became representatives of the gods Finally synonymous with gods

Only gods and kings had right to express individuality

Ordinary people were expendable View of the body:

Sumerians did not place much value on the body

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Sumerian Life2-9


Sumeria and Sport

Lion hunting a popular sport: warriors and aristocrats displayed courage, athletic ability

Sumerian society demonstrates the connection that religion had with sport in premodern cultures

Most famous Sumerian king was Gilgamesh, who ruled during 27th century B.C.

Honored as being excellent hunter and warrior

Warriors engaged in activities that developed their athletic ability and necessitated development of physical fitness

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Ancient Egypt (3000 B.C.) Prominent part of the

history of civilization

Array of historical artifacts

Rich history

Moses led Israelites out after 900 years of Egyptian civilization

Ruled by pharaohs

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Political and Cultural Impact Egyptian civilization was

admired by ancient Greeks and Romans

Science of medicine emerged in Egypt Magic used to cure

diseases Skill as doctors and

surgeons known all over the ancient world

Culture and the significance of sport and play are revealed by tomb paintings

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Egypt: Tomb Relief2-13


Early Dynastic Period (3000 - 1500 B.C.)

Artifacts show evidence of widespread sports and games Combat sports like

boxing and wrestling

Combat sports existed because of the constant threat of war

Archery, running, and swimming insured one's survival in war Competitions were held

in these sports

Fishing, boating, board games also popular

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Sport in Egypt

Sports allowed Egyptian monarchs to represent selves to their people.

Exhibit physical strength, courage, athleticism

Egypt’s queens were also portrayed as “sports fans.”

Pharaoh Akhnaton (1352-1336 B.C.) Began “festival of oars” regatta on Nile River

Likely the beginning of competitive rowing

Sports complemented military training

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Sport in Egypt

Egyptians and war

Superb warriors

Physical training for soldiers was harsh and physically demanding

Bow and arrow, foot speed were primary weapons

Archery and combat sports played a vital role in preparation for war

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Sport/Recreation in Egypt

Hunting very popular Music, singing, dancing Wrestling, games of chance, ball

games Rock tombs in Egypt depict Track &

field, swimming, wrestling, dancing, gymnastics, hockey and yoga-type exercises

Significant influence on Greek and Roman medicine, science, and sports

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China

Cultural history of China began about 1500 B.C.

In over 2,400 years, 10 dynasties ruled China

Archaeological evidence reveals that organized sports and games existed in China B.C.

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Chinese Culture (1500 B.C.-900 A.D.)

Feudal political system

Military training necessary for warlords and emperors

Trained knights to battle on chariots

Chariots were manned with a driver, spearman, and an archer

Military training (cont.)

Infantrymen and peasants followed the chariots

Depended on their athletic skill and physical fitness

Played a form of football for military training

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Chinese Culture2-20


China: Sport & Recreation

As in Sumer and Egypt, Chinese nobility lived luxuriously

Enjoyed sports and recreation

Played cards, chess, and board and table games

Hunting was popular with both nobility as a sport and peasants as a means of securing food

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China: Popular Sports

Boxing, 527 A.D. Complex system of

170 movements by 1070 A.D.

Martial arts evolved from Chinese philosophy and need for warriors Initially a system of

military training

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China: Popular Sports

Martial Arts Began to develop and reflect

elements of Chinese philosophy

Yin and yang: positive & negative forces in the universe

Later incorporated jingluoxue

science of attending to the main and collateral channels found in the body

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Mesoamerica

Geographical region Northern Mexico

southward to Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador

Ball games were popular in antiquity, just as they are today

Ulama: ball game beginning in 1800 B.C., continued by Mayans & Aztecs Religious, cultural,

competitive elements

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Mesoamerica Ulama: ball courts discovered dating from 1500 B.C.

Tchlactli: magnificent ballcourts

Games had strong religious overtones Human sacrifice: a common component (losing and/or winning

teams might be sacrificed, to give gods the “best”)

Served ritualistic purposes

Fertility, harvest, appease the gods

Ball court characteristics Oblong shape, similar to letter “I”

Thick, high ornamental walls

Stone ring (tlachtemalacatl) in middle of side wall served as goal

Ball court at Chichen Itza is the largest discovered; reliefs show players and ritual sacrifice

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Ball Court at Chichen Itza2-26


Mesoamerica Use of hard rubber ball necessitated

protective equipment for players Gloves, arm guards, knee pads, chest protector

Fast-paced, athletic ball game shares characteristics with modern sports like baseball, basketball, and squash

Spanish explorers took Indian athletes back to Spain to demonstrate the ball game for the king

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Ball Court at Chichen Itza2-28

Relief showingballplayer’sequipment


SUMMARY/STUDY FOR TEST

1. What are the common nature of ancient sports.

2. Review Civilization of: Sport in:

A. Sumer

B. Ancient Egypt

C. China

D. Chinese

E. Mesoamerica

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© 2014 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Summer, Egypt, China and Mesoamerica Chapter 2 Mechikoff, R.A., A History and Philosophy of