Training methods in ancient

Greek combat sports and

martial arts
#1. Training methods in ancient
Greek combat sports
 Weight lifting
(much like today)
 Jumping rope
(much like today)
Leg dexterity exercises
(much like today)
 Extended weights called alteres
(much like Indian clubs or clubbells over
the past few centuries)
 Running
(much like today)
 Gymnastics
(much like today)
 Pulling on and twisting ropes
(the judo gi not having been invented)
Striking bags and targets
(much like today)
Sparring and actual competition
(much like today)
 #2. Training methods in ancient
and traditional Greek martial arts

All the above, plus

the following:
Multiple opponent and group tactics
training and weapons training
Breathing
Metaphysics

(IN BOTH
ANCIENT
AND
MODERN
GREECE)
 We can investigate an
interesting case in relation
to the weapons of the past,
to highlight the connection
between metaphysics and
the martial arts.
 Little is known of the short blade used by the
ancient Spartans in close quarter combat. Since
none survive, diverse theories exist as to its shape
and form, ranging from a short double-edged leaf
bladed sword, much like Fairbairns smatchet
shown below, to a sickle-shaped blade called the
xyele. Modern aspirants would like to think it was
shaped like the Nepalese kukri.

It was not.
 Xyele in Greek means, that which scrapes.
Additionally, the kukri shaped blade, called kopis in
ancient Greek, means, that which cuts. So it is
highly unlikely that the xyele was a chopper kukri-
like blade. We know that numerous sickles were
left as offerings at the temple of Artemis Orthia in
Sparta, the holiest of holies for that ancient city.
But Artemis was a goddess of the hunt, not
agriculture.
In fact, there is a surviving
depiction of what is almost
assuredly a xyele. It is
from a tomb and shows
the deceased battling a
snake with a scythe-
shaped blade. Since the
snake was used as
symbol to refer to spirits of
both the human dead and
of deities, there can be no
doubt as to the
metaphysical significance
of this depiction.
 The xyele today, as referred to in the agricultural
community of Northern Greece (Agricultural
communities are of utmost importance, as they are
the most resistant to change.), is a sickle shaped
hoe, used to scrape the earth of fields.
So the chances are good that the Spartan xyele was
an inward curving short blade, a scraper, much like
the traditional 19th century Greek knife shown below
(no doubt considerably stouter in shape due to the
inferior steel of the time).
 This is important for
reasons of
metaphysics. The
Protector of the
Borders in my
village was,
strangely enough,
the sickle-bearing
patron of vineyards,
St. Tryphon (though
St. Michael was
invoked during war).
For a long time this
made absolutely no
sense to me .
 Until I understood his role
as an exorcist and healer
of the vineyards, fighting
against disease and blight
for a precious crop.
Also, the sickle is a religious
symbol in Europe and the
Mediterranean going back
to Kronos, Cybele, the
Egyptians gods and the
druids it is the blade of
both agriculture and ritual
blood letting. Today the
image persists with the
Grim Reaper.
 Interestingly
enough, his
feastday (Feb 1) is
celebrated with the
ritual slaughter of a
young bull
(kourbani), and
leaping over fires (a
milder version of
fire-walking). This
relates back to the
fertility rituals
inherent to primeval
martial arts.
 But then religion
was always a very
strong part of both
the Spartans and
the Epirotes lives.
The predominance
of the sickle in these
rituals is interesting
from an
anthropological and
theological
perspective.
 In ancient Greece,
depictions of the martial
arts decorated the
exterior friezes of
temples. Perhaps the
relationship between
martial arts and
spirituality continued
throughout the ages to
reach the modern age.
But then again, maybe
not..
You decide.