Swimming and rowing in ancient greece

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to explore the growth and progress of swimming and rowing in ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks developed a strong relationship with the sea that surrounded their homeland. According to their mythology the sea was the very first element of the world and was worshiped as a god. They were established as a navy nation from an early period and dominated the Mediterranean Sea. They travelled in remoted areas, building trading relationships with the nations they came across and founding well known colonies.

Methods

Important factor for the achievement of a satisfactory result on this project was the study of the ancient Greek literature as well as modern publications of the same matter. Of great importance also were the related archaeological findings.

Results

It is understandable that swimming and rowing was an important key towards this. They were of the most important military advantages and played a significant role in the naval power of the Greek cities. The physical activity of swimming was necessary for the warriors who had to cross rivers or swim for their lives in case of shipwreck during naval battles. Remarkable is Homer’s description in Iliad of the Greek navy’s departure for the Trojan War. Thukidides informs us that during the siege of Sphacteria by the Athenians divers managed to bring provisions to the Spartans in the island by swimming underwater towing baskets behind them. According to Herodotus’ descriptions of the battle of Syracuse the Athenians sent divers to destroy the stakes which the Syracusans placed under water. Swimming was so natural to the ancient Greeks that there is no instruction on these exercises. Children learned to swim by their parents in the same way they learned to walk. Plato considered a man who didn’t know how to swim the same as an uneducated man. Aristotle thought that swimming in the sea is better for the health than swimming in lakes and rivers. He was also in favour of cold water than warm one. Rowing wasn’t lacking appreciation in the ancient Greek world. Xenophon believed that the Athenean power depended more on it’s navy than rather than on it’s army. The Athenians were the ones who showed special interest in practising rowing even during peace periods. Except of covering the needs of transportation and military forces, rowing progressed into an athletic event and boat races were established. The most important are the ones of the Isthmian, the Panathenaic Festivals and of ancient Hermione. Boat races were also held in Munichia, Diisoteria, Aianteia, Theseia as well as in the games of Sounion. There is a possibility that boat races were part of the festival at Actium according to the testimony of Stephanus Byzantinus. Races were organised by Nikocles from Cyprus’ Salamis in honour of his dead father Evagoras. The races were speed contests up to a specific point or destination, but there is also the contingency that they were imitating the chariot races like the one mentioned by Virgil in Aeneid. In contrast there are very few indications about swimming races. Pausanias informs us that such races were taking place in Hermione and there were prizes for the winner in the games of Dionysia. Two imaginary races between friends can be found in Nonnos’ Dionysiaques. The second one ended with a fatal accident. All races, both swimming and rowing had a holy ideal and were dedicated to gods or heroes. In ancient Greek texts there are many incidents narrated and swimming as well as rowing are frequently mentioned.

Conclusion

The conclusion made from studying the clues, is that in ancient Greece rowing was necessary for transportation and trade, but it also formed into an athletic characteristic, correlated with worship. On the other hand swimming apart from it’s practical usage turned out to be an important physical activity for the ancient Greeks.

References

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[3]. Olivova, V. (1984) Sports and Games in the Ancient World, London
[4]. Patrucco R.. (1972). Lo Sport nella Grecia Antica, Rome
[5] . Krause J. (1971) Die Gymnastic und Agonistic der Hellenen, Lipsiae
[6]. Gardine N. (1930). Athletics of the Ancient World, Oxford