Ancient sports and games that are still played today

In ancient Mesopotamia, clay tablets from as early as 3000 BCE depicted wrestlers grappling in stylized stances, suggesting that wrestling was admired in its time.

By the time of the Sumerians, wrestling was included in ceremonial events, often accompanied by music.

Then, during the Classical period, wrestling gained prominence in Ancient Greece, where it became a staple of the Olympic Games beginning in 708 BCE.

Athletes competed in a sandy arena, aiming to throw their opponent to the ground through skillful holds and throws.

Training took place in gymnasiums, which were hubs of physical and intellectual development.

Wrestlers, who were highly regarded in Greek society, often competed nude, which was thought to be the ideal balance of physical perfection and mental discipline.  

In Ancient Rome, wrestling transitioned into a more regulated activity. Roman audiences enjoyed wrestling as part of public spectacles, where it was performed alongside gladiatorial contests and chariot races.

Wrestlers, or palaestritae, were often trained in specialized schools, to ensure a high level of skill.

Roman adaptations incorporated elements of Greek wrestling but included more aggressive techniques suited to the crowd’s appetite for spectacle.

By the 1st century CE, wrestling was widespread across the empire. 

After the fall of Rome, wrestling persisted through the Middle Ages, preserved in different forms across Europe and Asia.

By the 18th century, professional wrestling leagues began to emerge in Europe, which lay the groundwork for modern styles.

Today, wrestling thrives in numerous variations, from freestyle and Greco-Roman competitions in the Olympics to regional traditions such as sumo in Japan. 

According to Greek tradition, the origins of the marathon trace back to the legendary journey of Pheidippides, who was a messenger during the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE.

As the story recounts, Pheidippides ran from the battlefield to Athens to deliver the urgent news of victory over the Persian forces.

Covering an estimated distance of approximately 25 miles, his exhausting run was said to end with his dramatic collapse and death upon announcing the message, “We have won!”

This tale, though possibly embellished by later historians like Herodotus and Plutarch, became a symbol of endurance and dedication in Greek culture. 

Centuries later, the modern Olympic Games revived this enduring myth through the introduction of the marathon race in 1896.

Organized by the International Olympic Committee, the race was designed to commemorate the heroic effort attributed to Pheidippides.

Spyridon Louis, a Greek water carrier, became the first Olympic marathon winner, completing the 40-kilometer course from Marathon to Athens in just under three hours.

This event captured the imagination of audiences worldwide and solidified the marathon as a hallmark of athletic achievement.

The distance was later standardized to 26.2 miles in 1921, reflecting the length of the course used in the 1908 London Olympics. 

By the 20th century, marathons expanded beyond the Olympics to include races in cities such as Boston, which established its iconic event in 1897.

These competitions gained widespread popularity, attracting professional athletes and amateur enthusiasts alike.

The marathon evolved into a global phenomenon. Events such as the New York City and Berlin Marathons drew thousands of participants and millions of spectators. 

In ancient civilizations, chariot racing was one of the most thrilling and competitive public spectacles, particularly in Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome.

Organized in large arenas such as the Circus Maximus, which was capable of holding over 150,000 spectators, these races were dramatic displays of speed and skill.

Teams known as factions, which were typically divided into colors like the Reds, Blues, Greens, and Whites, represented powerful political and social interests.

The charioteers themselves were often slaves or lower-class citizens and risked their lives navigating tight corners and battling rival racers in a chaotic and dangerous environment.

Victory brought prestige and, for some, the possibility of freedom. 

As the Roman Empire declined, however, chariot racing gradually disappeared in Europe, yet the equestrian elements persisted in other forms.

By the Middle Ages, knights and noblemen transformed horse-based competitions into displays of martial prowess, such as jousting tournaments and cavalry drills.

These events, which were organized at fairs and royal courts, emphasized the strength and agility of both horse and rider.

The breeding of horses, such as the Arabian and Andalusian, which were prized for their speed and endurance, became integral to these displays.

Over time, these traditions evolved into more structured equestrian practices, including dressage and show jumping, which were formalized as sports by the modern era. 

In the 17th and 18th centuries, horse racing was a refined sport in England, where thoroughbred horses became central to the competition.

Tracks such as Newmarket, which is known as the home of English racing, gained prominence as elite venues for organized races.

The development of the thoroughbred breed, which was created through the careful crossbreeding of Arabian, Turkoman, and Barb horses, meant that races could focus on speed and stamina.

It then spread to other regions, including the United States, where the Kentucky Derby began in 1875 as one of the most prestigious horse racing events.

By the modern period, horse racing and equestrian sports evolved into distinct global phenomena.

Horse racing retained its competitive nature and became a major industry, which included betting and international tournaments.

Equestrian sports, such as dressage, eventing, and show jumping, were incorporated into the Olympic Games, which began featuring these events in 1912. 

From Mesopotamia to China, bows and arrows were integral tools for survival and military success.

By 3000 BCE, Egyptian archers used composite bows, which were crafted from wood, horn, and sinew.

These weapons were employed effectively in battles, such as those fought by Ramses II, where archers provided critical ranged attacks during campaigns.

In addition to Egypt, the Assyrians refined archery techniques, integrating large contingents of archers into their military strategies, which allowed them to dominate Mesopotamia. 

Across Central Asia, the Scythians became renowned for their expertise in mounted archery.

By perfecting the use of the recurve bow, which was compact and powerful, they revolutionized how warfare was conducted on open plains.

This innovation allowed Scythian horse archers to perform swift attacks, retreating quickly before enemies could respond.

Similarly, the Mongols, under Genghis Khan, relied heavily on archery during their 13th-century conquests.

Their skilled warriors used composite bows with remarkable accuracy and range, enabling them to control vast territories from China to Eastern Europe. 

Then, during the medieval period, archery played an essential role in European warfare.

The English longbow was a simple but powerful weapon, and was pivotal in battles such as Agincourt in 1415.

Archers armed with longbows could fire arrows at great distances with precision, and would ultimately devastate heavily armored knights.

In Japan, the samurai developed kyudo, or "the way of the bow," which combined martial skill with spiritual discipline. 

By the 19th century, archery transitioned from a military tool to a recreational activity.

Organizations such as the British Grand National Archery Society, founded in 1844, formalized the sport, creating structured competitions and standardizing equipment.

Archery became part of the modern Olympic Games in 1900. Today, it continues to be practiced worldwide, from Olympic events to traditional festivals like Bhutan’s archery contests, where the skill of hitting distant targets remains a source of cultural pride. 

In ancient Mesoamerica, ball games formed a critical aspect of both religious and social life, with the ōllamaliztli game being one of the most prominent examples.

Played as early as 1400 BCE by the Olmecs and later by the Maya and Aztecs, this game involved a rubber ball, known as the ōlli, which could weigh up to 4 kilograms.

Players used their hips to keep the ball in motion, attempting to pass it through vertical stone hoops positioned high on the court walls.

These courts, which were called tlachtli, often measured over 30 meters in length, with steep walls that amplified the challenge.

The game was thought to represent the cosmic struggle between life and death, and sometimes culminated in ritual sacrifices. 

By comparison, the ancient Greeks and Romans played simpler ball games that laid groundwork for modern recreational activities.

The Greeks engaged in episkyros, a game involving two teams attempting to pass a ball over a marked line.

The Romans adapted this into harpastum, a fast-paced game played on a small field, where players aimed to retain possession of the ball through strategic passing.

Both games emphasized physical strength and coordination, which made them popular among soldiers as training exercises.

Historical accounts describe their widespread popularity, with games often lasting hours and drawing enthusiastic spectators. 

During the Middle Ages in Europe, ball games evolved into early forms of soccer. In England, the game known as folk football emerged, played between neighboring villages.

Matches could involve dozens of participants, but were chaotic and often violent, with goals set miles apart.

By the 19th century, these informal games became regulated through the establishment of standardized rules.

The formation of the Football Association in 1863 formalized modern soccer, which transformed it into the world’s most popular sport.

Statistical records show that by the early 20th century, international competitions like the World Cup began to attract millions of viewers. 

Meanwhile, in the United States, the development of basketball in 1891 by James Naismith drew inspiration from earlier traditions of ball handling and team dynamics.

Created as an indoor sport for students during winter, basketball quickly gained popularity.

By 1936, it was included in the Olympics. Today, both soccer and basketball reflect the influence of ancient games, where the human fascination with competition and teamwork first found expression through a simple yet versatile object—the ball. 

In ancient Greece, athletic competitions were deeply ingrained in the culture, with field and track events forming a central part of the Olympic Games, first recorded in 776 BCE.

Events such as the discus throw showcased the strength and precision of competitors.

Crafted from bronze or stone, the discus was designed to test both technique and power as athletes aimed to hurl it the greatest distance.

Training for this event required not only physical preparation but also an understanding of aerodynamics, as the shape and spin of the discus influenced its trajectory.

Due to the prestige of the Olympics, success in these events brought honor to both the athlete and their city-state, motivating participants to strive for excellence. 

Meanwhile, the javelin throw required athletes to hurl wooden javelins tipped with metal points, which were designed to simulate weapons used in warfare.

This competition tested both distance and accuracy, as participants aimed for precision while throwing the javelin as far as possible.

In many cases, athletes used a leather thong, or ankyle, wrapped around the shaft to increase leverage and impart additional spin, which improved stability in flight.

As a consequence of its dual purpose in sport and combat training, the javelin throw prepared individuals for military service. 

Among track events, sprinting was the earliest and most celebrated. The stadion race, which spanned approximately 192 meters, determined the fastest runner in Greece.

It was often the highlight of the Olympic Games, and drew large crowds to witness displays of speed and endurance.

Runners competed barefoot on tracks made of packed earth, relying on rigorous training and natural ability to outpace their rivals.

This emphasis on speed highlighted the Greek admiration for physical prowess, as victors achieved fame and were often immortalized in sculptures and poetry. 

Following the fall of ancient Greece, these events were adopted and modified by the Romans, who introduced them into their public games.

Over centuries, these athletic traditions faded, but thanks to the revival of the Olympics in 1896, they were reintroduced into global sports.

As a result, modern track and field competitions continue to mirror their ancient origins.

Today, the discus, javelin, and sprinting events remain integral to international competitions. 

In ancient Egypt, Senet was one of the earliest known board games and dated back to around 3100 BCE.

It was played on a rectangular board with 30 squares arranged in three rows.

Senet involved two players using marked sticks to determine their moves. The game, which symbolized the journey of the soul through the afterlife, required both strategy and luck to navigate the board successfully.

Artifacts depicting Senet have been found in the tombs of pharaohs, suggesting its importance in both daily life and religious practices. 

In India, chess developed as a game of military strategy during the 6th century CE.

Known originally as chaturanga, meaning "four divisions," it represented the components of an army—infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots.

The game was played on an eight-by-eight grid and required careful planning and foresight to outmaneuver an opponent.

Over time, chess spread to Persia and Europe, where it evolved into the form recognized today.

By the medieval period, it became an intellectual pursuit favored by nobility. This widespread appeal led to the establishment of formalized rules during the Renaissance. 

Meanwhile, in East Asia, Go was developed in China over 4,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest continuously played board games.

The game, which uses black and white stones placed on a 19-by-19 grid, focuses on territorial control rather than outright elimination of an opponent’s pieces.

This emphasis on balance and long-term strategy required profound concentration and insight.

As Go spread to Japan and Korea, its popularity grew, leading to the creation of schools dedicated to mastering its complex techniques.

In Japan, the Tokugawa shogunate even established official Go tournaments, which meant that the game gained recognition as both a cultural and intellectual pursuit. 

By the modern period, board games such as chess and Go became institutionalized through global tournaments and organizations, while ancient games like Senet remained subjects of historical interest.

Today, millions continue to play these games, which demonstrates their enduring appeal across cultures. 

In ancient Greece, pankration emerged as a brutal combat sport that combined techniques from wrestling and boxing.

First introduced in the Olympic Games in 648 BCE, this full-contact event allowed almost any method of attack except biting and eye gouging.

Fighters, who competed barehanded, relied on a mix of grappling, striking, and submission holds to defeat their opponents.

Matches often ended only when one combatant admitted defeat or lost consciousness, making it a test of both skill and endurance.

Due to its practical application in warfare, pankration was valued as a training tool for soldiers. 

Meanwhile, in ancient Rome, gladiatorial combat became a highly organized form of public entertainment by the 1st century BCE.

These contests were held in grand arenas like the Colosseum and featured armed fighters engaging in violent confrontations.

Gladiators trained in specialized schools, or ludi, where they mastered techniques for fighting with swords, tridents, or nets.

Some matches were carefully orchestrated spectacles designed to entertain crowds, while others were deadly confrontations.

By the 3rd century CE, gladiatorial games became an essential part of Roman festivals, which reflected the empire’s fascination with martial prowess and spectacle. 

As organized combat sports faded during the medieval period, traditional martial arts practices flourished in Asia.

In Japan, samurai warriors developed jujitsu, which emphasized using an opponent’s force against them.

In China, kung fu was a sophisticated system of strikes and defensive movements, which was deeply rooted in philosophical and spiritual traditions.

As a result, these various forms of martial arts often served dual purposes in self-defense and discipline. 

By the late 19th century, modern boxing emerged in England with the introduction of the Marquess of Queensberry Rules in 1867, which standardized techniques and protective measures.

Similarly, judo, which was developed in Japan in the 1880s by Jigoro Kano, brought traditional grappling techniques into a regulated sporting framework.

These innovations influenced the creation of modern mixed martial arts (MMA) in the late 20th century, which combined elements of boxing, wrestling, and various martial arts into a unified competitive platform.

Organizations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which was founded in 1993, brought global attention to MMA, which demonstrated the enduring appeal of combat sports.