The Olympics have dominated much of
our interest and attention recently: volunteer Bill Gray takes a closer look.
The coverage of the Olympic Games this month left me realising I knew very little
about their origin. I have been able to partly rectify this thanks to books to
be found in Innerpeffray library. A brief mention of the beginning of the
ancient games, or Olympiads, in 776 BC is given in volume v of Isaac Newton’s
works. The Games continued to be held every four years until 393 AD. Thereafter
a gap of 1500 years followed until the founding of the Modern Games in 1894 AD.
However the real illumination of the Games is to be found in the marvellous
collection of original Scots Magazines in the library of Innerpeffray. In the volume
dated 1754 on page 481 there is a delightful description of these ancient games
which also confirms the ancient start-up as 776 BC. This (1754) is of course
more than 100 years before their late nineteenth century resurrection after
that no-action period of nigh on 1500 years. It seems the original purpose of
the games was to stop the warring between city-states in ancient Greece, the
argument being that non-fatal competition was a more civilised and more
enjoyable way to demonstrate a 'country's' superiority.
The Games took place every four years (an Olympiad) and the sports to be
seen have a familiar resonance today. The site where the games took place was
called a ‘Stadium’. There was the 'Pentathlon' which comprised a foot race
(running),wrestling, quoiting (discus), jumping and darting (javelin). The
participants were, unsurprisingly, known as 'pentathletes'. Another sport was
the 'pancratium',or boxing to us. It was interesting to read that, pre-empting
the Marquis of Queensbury, biting and gauging were not allowed. Another popular
event was the chariot race which closely resembled the one shown in the film
Ben Hur. Seemingly it was as dangerous as is shown in that film and, even in
that male oriented society, women could take part as charioteers. Events were
organised in heats when there were many entrants and knock out competitions
were run, leading to quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals. These ‘exercises’
were distinguished by the name of ‘Gymnastics’.
The rewards for the victors also
have a familiar ring. There was great acclamation, applause and cheering.
Flowers were thrown and everyone wanted to touch the athletes and shake their
hands. Victory parades were given to the winners and banquets were held in
their honour. Laudatory odes were
composed and statues erected. Today’s victors might get a gold painted post-box
erected in their home town. But the greatest accolade was reserved for the
homecoming victor. The city walls were broken down to allow him (there were no
female athletes) free access to the city. Victors were forever after honoured
with the first and best seats at all public spectacles.
It all seems a bit familiar.
BG
