Episode 9: Sports and Athletics

The history of sports is deeply woven into the stories humanity has told, from its earliest days. In this episode, we look at the mythological tie-ins of the Olympic Games, how wrestling shows up in many ancient stories, and a particularly wild sport from Minoan civilization. We also explore some of the most popular modern sports -- and how some of those have ancient origins, too! This episode's interview features Anna Willenbrock, a Camp Mythik and Camp Half-Blood Brooklyn Counselor who has a deep love of athletics! She's done everything from discus to sword-fighting, and she wants demigods to hear that athleticism can be for everyone. If you'd like to submit a story or artwork to be featured on Myths & Muses, use this form (with a Mortal Guardian's permission!). [Transcript for Episode 9] ----more---- Stuff to Read: The Olympic Games:  The official modern Olympic guide to the ancient games The history of the games from World History Encyclopedia A look at the Olympic Games from the Metropolitan Museum of Art More on bull-leaping:  Bulls and bull-leaping in the Minoan world Bull-Leaping in Bronze Age Crete The Mystery of Minoan Bull-Leaping More on other ancient sports:  Viking Games and Sports The Great Wrestling Matches of Myth Wrestling in Mythology: Gilgamesh vs Enkidu Stuff to Watch:  Our YouTube Playlist for Episode 9: Featuring an illustrated history of sports, several looks at the ancient Olympics, more on the epic of Gilgamesh, and some modern-day bull-related sports! Cool Images:  Ancient stadium in Olympia, Greece: Olympic Boxers, c. 550 BCE (The Cleveland Museum of Art) Prize amphora showing horse-racing, c. 510 BCE (The Met) Heracles wrestling Triton (from theoi.com) Heracles wrestling Antaeus, c. 150 BCE Ullr on skis with a bow, 11th century:  Ullr on skis with his bow, 18th century: The Bull-Leaping Fresco from the Great Palace at Knossos, Crete, c. 1600-1450 BCE: Minoan Bull-Leaper statue, c. 1500 BCE:  Minoan gold ring showing a man leaping over a bull, c. 1400 BCE: