Taran’s Introduction

Life for a Greek combat athlete was one filled with hard work. These athlete spent endless hours of training and sparring to prepare for victory. This gave them physique that was praised by all Greeks for even Solon said “take one of those whit-skinned fellows who live in the shade and put him next to any athlete you might pick out of the Lykeion…and then find out which you would rather resemble.” Greeks took pride in the physical form of their athletes but they also took notice of the moral, intellectual, and spiritual benefits that athletics seemed to provide. There was a clear acceptance of athletic excellence as a form of spiritual enlightenment that we see with Kleomedes of Astypalia who killed his opponent in contest and was disqualified had risen above mortal status.  Many of those who did achieve athletic excellence held large political influence and became office holders showing their integrity to support their nation and the intelligence to do so. In Greek society we see how they believed that combat athletics did promote moral, intellectual, and spiritual character.