Uniting The Arts

Pankration fighters

Pankration was more than just an Olympic event; it formed the basis for all combat training for Greek soldiers – including the famous Spartan hoplites and Alexander the Great’s Macedonian phalanx. The techniques varied just as in the oriental martial arts according to ‘style’. Pankration systems were taught within families and many times by master teachers to students (pankratiasts). Forms or kata were known as Pyrrics and single blow challenges as Klimax; internal energy was developed through breathing exercises, the equivalent of ‘Chi’ in Chinese arts, known as Pneuma. Pneuma primarily denotes the wind (derived from the Greek word pneo which means to breathe, blow); also ‘breath’; then, especially the spirit. Punching bags (korykos) and wooded posts were used for striking practice and the hardening of the body and limbs. Herbal medicines were also used.

Pankration, as practiced in the ancient world, combined elements of both boxing (pygme/pygmachia) and wrestling (pale) to create a broad fighting sport similar to today’s mixed martial arts. A match was won by submission of the opponent or if the opponent was incapacitated. A contestant could signal submission by raising his finger, but sometimes the only form of submission was unconsciousness or death. Joint locks and choke holds were common techniques of accomplishing this. In fact, there were only two rules: contestants were not allowed to gouge eyes or to bite.

Today’s Uniting the Arts fun fact source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pankration

Here’s a video of Pankration moves on YouTube from the History Channel’s Human Weapon show:

You might know this gentleman from the UFC or the commentator of IFL, Bas Rutten, a three time King of Pancrase. Pancrase is more of a modern form of Pankration: