Ancient Greeks
Ancient Nation
Ancient Greek athletes and warriors who codified Palé wrestling, Pygmachia boxing, and Pankration for the Ancient Olympic Games.
Quick Facts
Date of BirthAntiquity
EraAntiquity (8th c. BCE–4th c. CE)
Country of OriginGreece
Rank / TitleFounders of Ancient Wrestling, Boxing & Pankration
Active Years0776 BCE–0393
Biography
Ancient Greeks codified combat sports in the Olympic Games from 776 BCE. Pankration (introduced in 648 BCE) combined Pygmachia strikes with Palé throws and submission holds.
Associated Martial Arts
PankrationOrigin community→
An ancient Olympic sport joining wrestling and boxing into a single discipline. It entered the Games in 648 BC; today it exists as a modern revived event.
Greco-Roman WrestlingOrigin community→The Olympic wrestling style in which only the upper body may be attacked; the legs are entirely out of play. Despite the name it is a modern French discipline of the 1800s.