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!).
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Stuff to Read:
Stuff to Watch:
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:
