Greek Boxing

Boxing amongst the Greeks was a sport and even a religious event that began from a necessary brutality. Fist-fighting, at some point or another, is a part of most every civilization; however, it was the Spartan military that refined fist fighting into a structured sport. Although the Spartans did wear armor, they did not wear helmets. Spartans simply didn’t believe it was needed, especially when they bore shields. Thus to desensitize and toughen their faces, soldiers would practice punching each other in the face and neck (Philos.Gymn.10, 23-34). To prevent accidental killing of their comrades, basic rules were instated to protect the boxers.

Slightly different from modern boxing, Greek boxing was not just seen as an enjoyable sport between athletes, but a tough job for professionals that could bring great honor to their cities. Different styles of boxing emerged, the main distinguishing feature being whether body blows were allowed or not.

Following the nomoi, or unwritten rules and traditions, body blows were considered dirty fighting in much the same way that ‘below the belt’ blows are today (Brophy 1952, 172). However, many great epic fist-fights are described in full detail in which body blows are exchanged. These fist-fights are often dismissed as fights between an epic hero and a brute in a fight (often) to the death and were not a part of Greek boxing nomoi as we understand them. Despite this, many vase paintings clearly depict bodily strikes being exchanged between boxers. It is likely that this fighting was not practiced for festival games and was used more for religious re-enactment. One thing is clear though, body blows were not allowed in the Panhellenic games and other such events (Frost 218).

Preceding a typical Greek boxing match spectators would form a circle around a ring of padded soil or sand. The boxers both entered the ring and would then fight over the best position to fight from so that sunlight shone in their opponent’s eyes. They would wear meilichai, or leather straps, that were wound around their knuckles, and up to their forearms. Using mainly their right hand to punch and jab, they would exchange blows while keeping their left arm extended as a guard. If an opponent were to fall, a referee with a long stick would stop the assault to see if the boxer recovered. If he did then the blows continued until someone held up a finger to admit defeat, got knocked out, or died. However if a match went on too long and it appeared the boxers were evenly matched, a ‘sudden-death’ would began. The fighters then took turns exchanging and receiving blows. It was a huge advantage to be the first to be picked to strike; for obvious reasons (Frost 217).

Because of the great risk of brain hemorrhaging and other lethal injuries from heavy head blows, combatants were legally excused from killing their opponent during the games. Since a victory in the Panhellenic games was much sought after, fights-to-the-death often ensued (Brophy 1952, 172). If a boxer were to receive an olive wreath in the games, that boxer would be paid handsomely by his represented city for bringing much honor to that city. In rare occurrences, the athlete would be revered as a hero and worshiped as such with statues built in his honor.