Sumer, Egypt, China, and Mesoamerica
Chapter 2
Mechikoff & Estes, A History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education, Fourth Edition © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Introduction: Cultural Components of Civilization
Like today, ancient societies valuedAthletic abilityPhysical fitnessCompetitionPlay
These similarities serve evolutionary purpose
E.g. survival of the fittest
Introduction: Sport and Adaptation
Hunt for food as individuals and teamBest hunter was honored and participated in playful activitiesDesire to survive, compete for honor, and win is part of culture and expressed through games and sports
Introduction: Sport and WarfareWarfare was routine in ancient timesFormed armies, physical training programs, and warriorsRequired for military combat training: endurance running, wrestling, and swimmingCombat sports emerged which are still popular today
martial arts, boxing, wrestling, spear throwing (javelin), and archery
Introduction: Common Themes
Need to Insure survivalCompeteBe victoriousPlay
Sumer—4000 B.C.
World's first known civilizationLocated in Mesopotamia, a region lying in present-day Iraq
“cradle of civilization”
Sumerian civilization flourished more than 5,000 years ago
Sumerian Society
Developed cuneiform writingReplaced oral tradition as first written system of communication
Valued law and orderCreated a collection of laws called “Hammurabi's Code” 1800 B.C.Kept records, literary traditionTheology: initially, Sumerians believed they existed to serve the gods
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 individualityOrdinary people were expendableView of the body:
Sumerians did not place much value on the body
Sumerian Society
The human body was rarely used as a subject by Sumerian artists.“Nakedness expressed humiliation and subjection…” (Olivova, 1984),
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
SumerEconomic and political system were highly developedTrade, travel, entertainment, and warfare were routine activitiesWarriors engaged in activities that developed their athletic ability and necessitated development of physical fitness
Ancient Egypt (3000 B.C.)
Prominent part of the history of civilizationArray of historical artifactsRich history
Moses led Israelites out after 900 years of Egyptian civilization
Ruled by pharaohs
Political and Cultural Impact
Egyptian civilization was admired by ancient Greeks and Romans Science of medicine emerged in Egypt
Magic used to cure diseasesSkill as doctors and surgeons known all over the ancient world
Culture and the significance of sport and play are revealed by tomb paintings
Egypt: Tomb Relief
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 warArchery, running, and swimming insured one's survival in war
Competitions were held in these sports
Fishing, boating, board games also popular
Sport in Egypt
Sports were a means by which famous Egyptian monarchs represented themselves to their people. Egyptian monarchs exhibited physical strength, courage and the ability to engage in various athletic activities.Egypt’s queens were also portrayed as “sports fans.”
Sport in Egypt
Egyptians and warSuperb warriorsPhysical training for soldiers was harsh and physically demandingBow and arrow, foot speed were primary weaponsArchery and combat sports played a vital role in preparation for war
Sport/Recreation in Egypt
Hunting very popularMusic, singing, and dancingWrestling, games of chance, and ball gamesRock tombs in Egypt: murals
Track & field, swimming, wrestling, dancing, gymnastics, hockey and yoga-type exercises
Significant influence on Greek and Roman medicine, science, and sports
China
Cultural history of China began about 1500 B.C.In over 2,400 years, 10 dynasties ruled ChinaArchaeological evidence reveals that organized sports and games existed in China B.C.
Chinese Culture (1500 B.C.-900 A.D.)
Feudal political systemMilitary training necessary for warlords and emperors
Trained knights to battle on chariotsChariots were manned with a driver, spearman, and an archer
Chinese Culture
Military training (cont.)Infantrymen and peasants followed the chariotsDepended on their athletic skill and physical fitnessPlayed a form of football for military training
Chinese Culture
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
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
China: Popular Sports
Martial ArtsBegan to develop and reflect elements of Chinese philosophyYin and yang: positive & negative forces in the universe Later incorporated jingluoxue•science of attending to the main and
collateral channels found in the body
Mesoamerica
Geographical region northern Mexico southward to Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador
Ball games were popular in antiquity, just as they are todayUlama: ball game beginning in 1800 B.C., continued by Mayans & Aztecs
Religious, cultural, competitive elements
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
Mesoamerica
Ball court characteristicsOblong shape, similar to letter “I”Thick, high ornamental wallsStone 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
Ball Court at Chichen Itza
MesoamericaUse 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 squashSpanish explorers took Indian athletes back to Spain to demonstrate the ball game for the king
Ball Court at Chichen Itza
Relief showingballplayer’sequipment