Early History
In The Beginning
#PWHS #Article #InTheBeginning
The origins of wrestling go way back in the annals of history. There are references to it in almost every ancient civilization. The Babylonian epic Gilgamesh features it, as does the Bible.(1)
Ancient Greece
In ancient Egypt, soldiers used to wrestle for the nobility to demonstrate their physical prowess.(2) Yet it became even more ingrained in Greek culture. "Every Greek city of note housed a palaestra, or school of wrestling. In these schools, boys learned the simple but rigidly enforced rules of Greek wrestling."(3) The first professional wrestlers originated from Greece, men who represented their cities at various festivals.(4) The most famous of these was Milo of Croton.(5) Pankration, a more brutal form of wrestling, emerged at the thirty-third Olympiad.(6) Pankration matches often led to injuries or death.(7) When Greek culture faded and the Romans took over, the Romans enjoyed watching Pankration matches between slaves, but as a whole, it took a back seat to chariot matches and gladiatorial combat.(8) After the Roman empire fell, wrestling fell out of favor almost completely in Europe, although it still existed in Asia.(9)
Rustun
Wrestling has enjoyed a rich history in India and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, it is said that the father of wrestling was the legendary Rustun Zaal, who was believed to have existed over one thousand years ago.(10) According to the legend, Rustun had superhuman size and strength, and he would easily defeat any opponent he faced.(11) After killing a Turkish opponent, he would fall out of favor with his king, and, as a result, be forced to flee to Persia, and in the process, abandon his son.(12) He would gain favor with the Persian king and become champion there.(13) In the meantime, as the legend goes, his son Sohrab would also become a great wrestler, and he would go on a search for his father.(14) When father and son met, several years later, they did not recognize each other--they were contending for a championship in Turkey.(15) The son would win the match, but upon a rematch, the father would fatally injure the son.(16) Sohrab's dying words were that he had hoped his father, Rustun, would avenge the defeat--at that, Rustun would realize who his opponent was and become heartbroken, then later kill himself because of his grief.(17) I am retelling this story to emphasize the importance that wrestling had in cultures all over the world, even in ancient times.
Middle Ages
In the late Middle Ages and during the Renaissance, wrestling enjoyed a resurgence in Europe: "Not only were special matches between local champions organized as entertainment for the nobility, but meetings between well-regarded competitors became frequently held activities in taverns catering to the lower classes. These matches, fueled by alcohol and heavy wagering, often became bloody affairs...Loosely-regulated or controlled tavern organized matches, like those rural bouts between peasants, occasionally led to the deaths of the competitors..."(18) In 1539, Ringerkunst would be published, which was one of the earliest illustrated books--it detailed wrestling techniques.(19) There were several references to wrestling in works of literature of the period, including Morte D'Arthur and Piers Plowman.(20)
Ancient Greece
In ancient Egypt, soldiers used to wrestle for the nobility to demonstrate their physical prowess.(2) Yet it became even more ingrained in Greek culture. "Every Greek city of note housed a palaestra, or school of wrestling. In these schools, boys learned the simple but rigidly enforced rules of Greek wrestling."(3) The first professional wrestlers originated from Greece, men who represented their cities at various festivals.(4) The most famous of these was Milo of Croton.(5) Pankration, a more brutal form of wrestling, emerged at the thirty-third Olympiad.(6) Pankration matches often led to injuries or death.(7) When Greek culture faded and the Romans took over, the Romans enjoyed watching Pankration matches between slaves, but as a whole, it took a back seat to chariot matches and gladiatorial combat.(8) After the Roman empire fell, wrestling fell out of favor almost completely in Europe, although it still existed in Asia.(9)
Rustun
Wrestling has enjoyed a rich history in India and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, it is said that the father of wrestling was the legendary Rustun Zaal, who was believed to have existed over one thousand years ago.(10) According to the legend, Rustun had superhuman size and strength, and he would easily defeat any opponent he faced.(11) After killing a Turkish opponent, he would fall out of favor with his king, and, as a result, be forced to flee to Persia, and in the process, abandon his son.(12) He would gain favor with the Persian king and become champion there.(13) In the meantime, as the legend goes, his son Sohrab would also become a great wrestler, and he would go on a search for his father.(14) When father and son met, several years later, they did not recognize each other--they were contending for a championship in Turkey.(15) The son would win the match, but upon a rematch, the father would fatally injure the son.(16) Sohrab's dying words were that he had hoped his father, Rustun, would avenge the defeat--at that, Rustun would realize who his opponent was and become heartbroken, then later kill himself because of his grief.(17) I am retelling this story to emphasize the importance that wrestling had in cultures all over the world, even in ancient times.
Middle Ages
In the late Middle Ages and during the Renaissance, wrestling enjoyed a resurgence in Europe: "Not only were special matches between local champions organized as entertainment for the nobility, but meetings between well-regarded competitors became frequently held activities in taverns catering to the lower classes. These matches, fueled by alcohol and heavy wagering, often became bloody affairs...Loosely-regulated or controlled tavern organized matches, like those rural bouts between peasants, occasionally led to the deaths of the competitors..."(18) In 1539, Ringerkunst would be published, which was one of the earliest illustrated books--it detailed wrestling techniques.(19) There were several references to wrestling in works of literature of the period, including Morte D'Arthur and Piers Plowman.(20)
Across the Pond
In America, wrestling began to come into its own in the late seventeenth century and eighteenth century. George Washington used it as military training for his men.(21) In the nineteen century, during the frontier era, wrestling bouts would become more violent, although this soon waned, as the frontier lands became settled.(22) Abraham Lincoln was also an avid wrestler--it was said that he wrestled in 300 bouts.(23) According to some of the stories about him, he was quite formidable.
Nineteenth Century
During the nineteenth century, wrestling would continue to flourish all over the world, especially in Europe.(24) In England and in Switzerland, there were many great wrestlers, as well as in Ireland.(25) The sport became more formalized, and championships would come into existence.(26) The United States would follow this model after the Civil War.
Styles Emerge
Several styles of wrestling would become prevalent. The "Collar and Elbow" style was largely practiced by Irish-American wrestlers, who were becoming more and more dominant in the sport.(27) Essentially, each man would grab the opponent's collar with the left hand, while simultaneously using the right to grab the opponent's elbow.(28) It didn't last long, although it would serve to influence present wrestling somewhat. The "Greco-Roman" style, which was strictly amateur-based, emphasized upper-body strength.(29) It is the standard for amateur and olympic wrestling and it is still utilized in modern professional wrestling. In the late nineteenth century, though, "Catch-as-Catch-Can" would become the most widely-used style of wrestling. It was a loose combination of "frontier rough-and-tumble, holds from collar-and-elbow, and elements of Japanese jujitsu."(30) It was more fast-paced, more aggressive, than the earlier styles.(31) It allowed smaller wrestlers to become successful.(32) It still exists as the most widely practiced wrestling style.
Various American wrestlers were active after the Civil War, including John McMahon, Evan "Strangler" Lewis, Colonel J. H. McLaughlin, Viro Small, and a man who I will speak about in a future article, William Muldoon.
In America, wrestling began to come into its own in the late seventeenth century and eighteenth century. George Washington used it as military training for his men.(21) In the nineteen century, during the frontier era, wrestling bouts would become more violent, although this soon waned, as the frontier lands became settled.(22) Abraham Lincoln was also an avid wrestler--it was said that he wrestled in 300 bouts.(23) According to some of the stories about him, he was quite formidable.
Nineteenth Century
During the nineteenth century, wrestling would continue to flourish all over the world, especially in Europe.(24) In England and in Switzerland, there were many great wrestlers, as well as in Ireland.(25) The sport became more formalized, and championships would come into existence.(26) The United States would follow this model after the Civil War.
Styles Emerge
Several styles of wrestling would become prevalent. The "Collar and Elbow" style was largely practiced by Irish-American wrestlers, who were becoming more and more dominant in the sport.(27) Essentially, each man would grab the opponent's collar with the left hand, while simultaneously using the right to grab the opponent's elbow.(28) It didn't last long, although it would serve to influence present wrestling somewhat. The "Greco-Roman" style, which was strictly amateur-based, emphasized upper-body strength.(29) It is the standard for amateur and olympic wrestling and it is still utilized in modern professional wrestling. In the late nineteenth century, though, "Catch-as-Catch-Can" would become the most widely-used style of wrestling. It was a loose combination of "frontier rough-and-tumble, holds from collar-and-elbow, and elements of Japanese jujitsu."(30) It was more fast-paced, more aggressive, than the earlier styles.(31) It allowed smaller wrestlers to become successful.(32) It still exists as the most widely practiced wrestling style.
Various American wrestlers were active after the Civil War, including John McMahon, Evan "Strangler" Lewis, Colonel J. H. McLaughlin, Viro Small, and a man who I will speak about in a future article, William Muldoon.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Early History.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: April 26, 2015.
Article: #86.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Early History.
Author: Julie Hankinson.
Published: April 26, 2015.
Article: #86.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Image Sources
1. bibleartists.wordpress.com
2. Public domain.
Information Sources
1. Beekman, Scott. Ringside, pg. 2.
2. Beekman, pg. 2.
3. Beekman, pg. 3.
4. Beekman, pg. 3.
5. Beekman, pg. 3.
6. Beekman, pg. 3.
7. Beekman, pg. 3.
8. Beekman, pg. 4.
9. Beekman, pg. 4.
10. Fleischer, Nat. From Milo to Londos, pg. 11.
11. Fleischer, pg. 12-13.
12. Fleischer, pg. 13.
13. Fleischer, pg. 13.
14. Fleischer, pg. 13.
15. Fleischer, pg. 13.
16. Fleischer, pg. 13.
17. Fleischer, pg. 13-14.
18. Beekman, pg. 4.
19. Beekman, pg. 5.
20. Beekman, pg. 5.
21. Beekman, pg. 6.
22. Beekman, pg. 7.
23. Beekman, pg. 8.
24. Fleischer, pg. 10-11, 17-18.
25. Fleischer, pg. 10-11, 17-18.
26. Fleischer, pg. 10.
27. Beekman, pg. 10-11, 19.
28. Fleischer, pg. 21.
29. Beekman, pg. 19-21.
30. Beekman, pg. 20.
31. Beekman, pg. 20.
32. Beekman, pg. 37.
1. bibleartists.wordpress.com
2. Public domain.
Information Sources
1. Beekman, Scott. Ringside, pg. 2.
2. Beekman, pg. 2.
3. Beekman, pg. 3.
4. Beekman, pg. 3.
5. Beekman, pg. 3.
6. Beekman, pg. 3.
7. Beekman, pg. 3.
8. Beekman, pg. 4.
9. Beekman, pg. 4.
10. Fleischer, Nat. From Milo to Londos, pg. 11.
11. Fleischer, pg. 12-13.
12. Fleischer, pg. 13.
13. Fleischer, pg. 13.
14. Fleischer, pg. 13.
15. Fleischer, pg. 13.
16. Fleischer, pg. 13.
17. Fleischer, pg. 13-14.
18. Beekman, pg. 4.
19. Beekman, pg. 5.
20. Beekman, pg. 5.
21. Beekman, pg. 6.
22. Beekman, pg. 7.
23. Beekman, pg. 8.
24. Fleischer, pg. 10-11, 17-18.
25. Fleischer, pg. 10-11, 17-18.
26. Fleischer, pg. 10.
27. Beekman, pg. 10-11, 19.
28. Fleischer, pg. 21.
29. Beekman, pg. 19-21.
30. Beekman, pg. 20.
31. Beekman, pg. 20.
32. Beekman, pg. 37.
Other articles by Julie can be Read Here.