KIN 300 Lecture 4 Outline of Last Lecture I Greece a Influence b Focus c Athens and Sparta d Greek Women e Olympic Games Outline of Current Lecture I Rome a The Etruscans b Ancient Rome c Roman Sport i Military Training ii Women and Sport d Roman vs Greeks e Games and Spectacles i Arenas Current Lecture Rome The Etruscans The Etruscans whom the Romans adopted many of the features of their culture from were influenced by the Greeks the Phoenicians Egyptians and civilizations occupying Asia Minor Etruscan cities were often planned and built around arenas which served as sporting venues The development of Etruscan games and sport as well as their philosophy of the body had a profound impact on the outgrowth of Roman sport and games These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute The Etruscans Although there are no Etruscan literary works or historical accounts there are many writing samples carved on tombs 1958 discovery of the Tomb of the Olympic Games containing elaborate paintings depicting various sporting scenes Other tombs were discovered later that depicted footraces jumping contests discus chariot racing vaulting over wooden hurdles swimming gymnastics armed combat The Etruscans Statues discovered depict men women wrestlers competing against each other Suggests that both Etruscan men and women were active and competed against each other Women and men equally as athletic The Etruscans Employed sports and athletic festivals for entertainment Chariot races seem to have been the most popular of the festivals for entertainment Etruscan Sport Festivals seemed to have tendency for violence Used prisoners as sacrifices to honor the dead Later used prisoners as performers who entertained by fighting to the death Ancient Rome Following victory over Etruscans in 509 B C Roman Republic established Romans were utilitarian that is when they conquered an enemy they determined if various practices and approaches used by their former foes were better than current Roman practices If so the Romans adopted the practice Ancient Rome o Romans adopted various Etruscan customs and practices after the conquering The blood sport of the Etruscans would become one of the hallmarks of Roman civilization Roman Sport Romans found a lot to like about the Etruscan approach to sport They wrestled boxed raced chariots swam and competed in footraces These sports prepared participants to become better soldiers and so were adopted by Romans Romans participation in sport grew Roman Sport Roman culture adopted the brutal and gruesome spectacles of the Etruscans that pitted man against man and man against beast to entertain the spectators Entertainment purposes Fear of people overtaking government if people didn t stay satisfied Like the Etruscans the Romans believed it was necessary to honor the gods their dead with human sacrifices Romans vs Greeks Cultural Analysis Romans valued intellect culture much less than Greeks Focused on practical over aesthetic Romans did not contribute as much to philosophic scientific advancement compared to Greeks Most Romans did not share the Greek belief in the holistic development of man More focus on physical less on mental Romans and Greeks Romans were focused on the practical purposeful very utilitarian Great civil engineers builders many Roman roads still in use building still remain Very effective administrators Developed Roman law Practiced sport with purpose of training to make obedient disciplined soldiers To keep control and order among the people Sport Physical Education During the early years of the Republic physical exercise was enjoyed by the citizens although not nearly to the extent as in Greece military training took precedence over intellectual achievement Sport in Roman Empire Greek physicians were used to instruct Romans in the benefits of health related exercise Maintenance of physical health became a worthwhile and natural goal Early Romans enjoyed ball games based on throwing and catching as well as a form of handball Mild exercise was enjoyed but strenuous physical competition was not pursued except military personnel Sport in Roman Empire Physical activities had dual purpose Benefits of healthful exercise could be enjoyed Basic military skills would be learned Mainly men because women did not go to battle Roman Sport and the Military Military extremely important Affected views of physical training Youth were trained to make obedient disciplined soldiers Prestigious profession Legions were feared throughout ancient world Roman Soldiers training for warfare Military Training Campus Martius was a large open area with a temple dedicated to Mars the Roman god of war Fathers from wealth families brought their sons to teach them the physical skills required prior to their induction into manhood Skills taught at the Campus Martius and other locations included running jumping swimming wrestling horsemanship boxing fencing and archery complete obedience to commands Women and Sport Athletic competition was the domain of Roman men But women did participate in swimming dancing ball games Lighter sports Women s role not nearly as documented as men s role for entertainment value not taken seriously Not as competitive or intense as men Women and Sport Romanized Olympic Games had wrestling and running contests for women Archaeological evidence that women competed as gladiators Roman officials outlawed participation at certain times Women not treated as equals Roman Sport Physical Education Under the Empire the sporting activities of the Romans evolved into massive spectacles of entertainment debauchery carnage Physical activities allowed mere mortals to exhibit their physical skills before the gods thought to be in attendance during religious holidays Games and Spectacles Religious holidays became elaborate festivals 53 public holidays in 173 B C nearly 200 by 300 A D Politicians often funded spectacles to get voter support Spectacles took place frequently to pacify the people Government believed bored citizens would revolt Admission to games generally free Included gladiatorial fights horse and chariot races and various other forms of combat Games and Spectacles Roman games and sporting events did NOT serve as a catalyst for physical education what s good for health and well being of body but rather for sport spectacle Sporting events became spectacles that were