Physical education and sport in Rome

While the Hellenes were setting in the Grecian peninsula about 200 BC, another Indo-European people was migrating to Italy and settling in the central and southern parts of this country. One of these wandering tribes, known then as Latins, settled near the Tiber River, a settlement that later became known as Rome. The Romans were to have a decided effect not only on the objectives of physical education and sport in their own state but also on those of the Greek world, which the conquered.

The Romans, through their great leaders and well-disciplined army, extended their influence throughout most of the Mediterranean area and all of Europe. This success on the battlefield brought influence into Roman life that affected Roman ideals. They were not truly interested in the cultural aspects of life, although often some of the finer aspects of Hellenic culture were taken on as a means of show. Particularly during the latter days of the Roman Empire, wealth became the objective of most citizens, and vulgar displays became the essence of wealth. Luxury, corruption, extravagance, and vice became commonplace.

After the conquest of Greece, Greek gymnastics were introduced to the Romans, but they were never well received. The Romans lacked the drive for clean competition. They did not believe in developing the “body beautiful”. They did not like nakedness of performers; they preferred to be spectators rather than participants; they preferred professionalism to amateurism.

Athletic sports were not conducted on the same high level as in ancient Athenian Greece. The Romans wanted something exciting, bloody, ghastly, and sensational. At the chariot races and gladiatorial combats, excitement ran high. Men were pitted against wild animals or against one another and fought until death to satisfy the spectators’ cravings for excitement and brutality. The rewards and incomes of some individuals who engaged in the chariot races were enormous.

4.1. Listen to the text “Physical Education and Sport in Rome” and answer the

questions.

1. Did the Latins settle near the Tiber River or in the Grecian peninsula? 2. Did the Romans extend their influence throughout the Mediterranean area and Europe? 3. Were they truly interested in cultural aspects of life? 4. How did the average Roman consider physical education and sport? 5. What aspects of Greek concept to physical education and sport did the Romans reject? 6. What kind of shows did the Romans like?

4.3. Tell about physical activities in ancient Rome.

V. Retell the oral topic:

UNIT XIV