The Pankration (a combination of wrestling and boxing)

Table of Contents

• Origin
• Equipment
• Rules of the Game
• Characteristics of a Good Pankrist
• Additional Information

Origin

The pankration was added in 200 B.C. Greeks believed that the pankration was founded by the great hero and civilizer of Attica, Theseus, who combined wrestling and boxing together in order to defeat the fierce Minotaur in the labyrinth. It is thought that the pankration developed out of the primitive way of fighting used by man when he came across an enemy, either human being or animal. According to the author Philostatos, it is an excellent exercise in training warriors.

Equipment

There is no equipment used in the pankration (no gloves like boxers).

Rules of the Game

All the holds used in wrestling and all the blows used in boxing were allowed. The only things forbidden were biting and gouging. Therefore the pankration was the most dangerous and toughest of all events, since victory was sought with no consideration of the danger to the body or the life of one's opponent.

The pankration had two forms:

1) kato pankration, in which the contest continued after the opponents fell to the ground, was used in games.

2) Ano , or orthostanden pankration, in which the opponents had to remain standing, was used in training or in preliminary contests. This was a much lighter and safer form.

Pankrists did not were gloves on their hands as competitors in boxing, so the blows were not as painful; however, a pankrist was allowed to hold his opponent with one hand and hit him with the other, unlike boxing.

The fighter who fell to the ground first was in a difficult position, for his opponent was able to fall on top of him and immobilize him with his legs, leaving his hands free to strike him or apply a strangle-hold. The fighter who fell would try to turn on his back so as to use his arms and legs to protect himself. Slightly built competitors often deliberately fell on their backs, a device called hyptiasmos (back fall).

Kicking played an important part in the pankration. A kick to the stomach was called gastrizein (the stomach-trick). The hold in which a fighter held the foot of his opponent as tightly as he could to make him lose his balance was called apapternizein (the heel-trick).

Characteristics of a Good Pankrist

According to Philostratos, the perfect pankratiasts were those whose physical build was such that one might describe men suited for the event as being the best wrestlers amongst the boxers and the best boxers amongst the wrestlers. Psychological qualities like courage and endurance were also important.

Also see Characteristics of a Good Boxer and Characteristics of a Good Wrestler.