Modern Athletics 1868

MODERN ATHLETICS. CHAPTER I. ANCIENT ATHLETICS. THE term "Athletic Sports" is altogether of modern date; it would not liave been understood by the ancients; to them gymnastic exercises were no pastime, bnt a serious and important paritn the training oyf outh. The whole education of a Greek had three divisions—letters, mnsic, and gymnastics—but these last occupiedas much time and labour asthe two others put together; indeed, at a certain period of life those ceased, and gymnastics alone continued to be practised, not onlyin youth but in adult and matureage, the exercises being adapted to the strength and years of the exercised. Greek physicians and philosophers were alike convinced of the intimate connexion between body and soul; their faithwas mus­ cular, the chief article being that physical and mental health went together. That their creedwas not unsound, the result has proved; for while the body received from these exercises that beautiful development which has made Greek art a patternto all succeeding generations, so, if not in consequence of these exercises, at least in connexion with them, the triumphs otfhe Greek intellect have been no less, and perhaps evenmore predominant. . Taking gymnastics in citosmprehensive classical sense, it may be divided into the agonistic antdhe athletic arts; tho^former was pursued for the purpose of improving their health and bodily strength by those who, though a