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The Most Popular Sport In The Ancient World
A tradition that lasted centuries
Sports have been a part of human culture since the beginning of time. The art of competition is one of the innately human traits that define us as a species. From the earliest recorded records until the modern day, sports have been a massive part of daily life for millions of people around the world.
What was the most popular sport in the ancient world? Chariot racing.
Chariot racing was supremely popular and got its start in ancient Greece. Throngs of people would crowd professional arenas and racetracks to watch men careen around in a heavy chariot pulled by four horses. The races were loud, raucous, and supremely popular.
The earliest mentions of chariot racing date all the way back to the 13th century BCE from Mycenaean Greece. From there, the sport became more entrenched and was a popular event at aristocratic funeral games. Chariot racing is mentioned in Homer’s Illiad. The Mycenaean Greeks gave way to the regular Greeks, and the sport continued in its popularity.
The Greeks passed the tradition on to the Etruscans, who, in turn, passed it on to the Romans.
Rome made chariot racing a central event in their empire. Chariot races were a cornerstone of the famous “bread and circuses”…
