The savage ancient Greek sport of the Pankration

In ancient Greek mythology, the legendary Heracles was said to have used his wrestling skills to subdue the Nemean lion, while another hero, Theseus, defeated the savage Minotaur using a blend of physical strength and strategy.

These heroic acts became the theoretical foundation for what would later become Pankration. 

By 648 BCE, Pankration had become an official event in the Olympic Games as it mirrored the unpredictable nature of battle, one where participants faced each other without the protection of rules.

In contrast to boxing or wrestling, Pankration allowed an almost limitless array of techniques, ensuring that the event was as dangerous as it was thrilling.

Early texts, such as those by the historian Pausanias, describe the ferocity of the contests, while vase paintings from the same period depict fighters locked in brutal, desperate struggles. 

For the victor, Pankration brought immense honor and prestige, not only in the Olympic Games but also in the broader circuit of Panhellenic festivals, including the Isthmian, Nemean, and Pythian Games.

In these competitions, winning elevated an athlete to heroic status, and cities often rewarded champions with prizes, free meals, and tax exemptions.

Success in Pankration was viewed as the ultimate demonstration of strength and dominance, and it became legendary throughout Greek society as a sign of personal and civic glory. 

Over time, the influence of Pankration spread across the ancient world. As Greek culture expanded during the Hellenistic period, particularly after the conquests of Alexander the Great, the sport found its way into new regions.

Other civilizations, such as the Romans, adopted aspects of Pankration into their own martial traditions. 

In Pankration, fighters relied on a mix of striking, grappling, and submission techniques to overpower their opponents.

Strikes included punches, kicks, and even open-hand slaps, with an emphasis on attacking vulnerable areas like the head and torso.

Grappling moves, such as throws and joint locks, allowed fighters to control their opponents at close range.

Techniques like the ankylo, a powerful joint lock, aimed to disable an opponent through sheer force.

Fighters also used ‘strangling’ holds to choke opponents into submission, making the contest a test of endurance as much as skill. 

What made Pankration unique was the combination of its freedom and its few strict prohibitions.

Fighters were allowed to use almost any technique at their disposal, but biting and gouging were forbidden, as they were seen as dishonorable tactics.

Referees, who were armed with sticks, enforced these limited rules by striking offenders.

Nevertheless, the allowance of bone-breaking holds and strikes to the face made Pankration a dangerous event.

Victory could be declared when an opponent submitted or was knocked unconscious, though sometimes it ended when one competitor died.

In such an unforgiving sport, even the slightest mistake could lead to defeat.

Occasionally, fighters had to raise a single finger to signify surrender. 

Fighting in Pankration could be divided into two broad phases: Ano Pankration, which involved standing combat, and Kato Pankration, which took place on the ground.

In Ano Pankration, fighters focused on striking and throws, aiming to take control of the match before it transitioned to the ground.

On the ground, during Kato Pankration, grappling became the dominant strategy, with fighters attempting to pin or submit their opponent using techniques like the pale, a form of wrestling designed to maintain control over the opponent’s limbs.

This blend of stand-up and ground fighting made Pankration unpredictable, as victory could come from a knockout blow or a carefully executed submission hold. 

There are limited records for how individual participants trained for the Pankration.

Many who participated in the Olympics followed strict regimens which included a combination of endurance exercises, strength-building routines, and combat drills.

Long-distance running, weightlifting with stones, and sparring sessions helped them build both stamina and power.

In the Roman era, there is evidence that they followed a disciplined diet, high in protein and energy-rich foods like bread, cheese, and meat, to fuel their rigorous workouts.

To the Greeks, training was a path to achieving areté, or ‘excellence’, which was the ultimate goal in all Greek athletics. 

Dioxippus was one of the most famous Pankratiasts, who demonstrated his mastery when he defeated a Macedonian soldier in a one-on-one match before Alexander the Great.

Another legendary figure was Arrhichion, who won his final match even after dying from a chokehold, his opponent conceding defeat moments before his body gave out.

These men embodied the spirit of Pankration: where victory came through strength, skill, and a willingness to push beyond the limits of human endurance. 

Pankration also played a vital role in the education of Greek soldiers. For warriors like the Spartans, the skills honed in the sport had direct application on the battlefield.

In particular, close-quarters combat techniques from Pankration—such as grappling and hand-to-hand striking—proved essential in phalanx warfare, where soldiers often fought at close range with limited space for movement.

This practical training ensured that Pankratiasts also contributed to the strength and effectiveness of Greek military forces. 

The decline of Pankration began with the rise of Roman rule in Greece during the 2nd century BCE.

As Roman culture spread, it overshadowed many traditional Greek customs, including athletic competitions.

The Romans preferred their own forms of entertainment, such as gladiatorial combat, which focused more on spectacle than skill.

Over time, Greek sports, including Pankration, lost their importance and began to fade from public life.

By the 4th century CE, the rise of Christianity also contributed to the sport's decline, as the new faith disapproved of violent pagan games.

The Olympic Games themselves were eventually abolished by Emperor Theodosius I in 393 CE, marking the end of an era for Greek athletics. 

Although Pankration disappeared as a formal competition, its techniques still exist in a range of modern martial arts.

The sport's blend of striking and grappling laid the foundation for many modern combat systems.

For example, Pankration shares a significant resemblance to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), which combines striking and submission techniques in a similar fashion.

Like in Pankration, MMA fighters use punches, kicks, and chokeholds to dominate opponents, with few restrictions on how they can win.

Additionally, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which emphasizes ground fighting and submission holds, reflects elements of Pankration’s Kato phase.

The strategic use of leverage and joint locks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu mirrors the ancient techniques that once flourished in Greek arenas. 

Today, Pankration has seen a small revival in martial arts communities, with some organizations adopting its name to honor its ancient roots.

While the sport no longer exists in its original form, its influence can still be seen in the global popularity of combat sports.

Modern fighters, much like their Greek predecessors, continue to push their physical limits in the pursuit of victory, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the warrior spirit first exemplified in ancient Greece.