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