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