Want to know fifteen things about the Olympics that you probably didn’t know? Well List Universe has you covered here. One of my favorites:
13. The last running race added to the Ancient Games (after the addition of two longer distance races) was the hoplitodromos – in which competitors would run 400 or 800 yards in full armor with shields and a helmet or greaves (leg armor). This was introduced in 520 BC. Runners would often trip over each other or stumble on shields dropped by other competitors. In the image above we see athletes competing in the hoplitodromos – in far more an orderly fashion than was likely.
I submit that we need to have something similar in today’s world. Seriously. Wouldn’t that be one hell of an event to see a bunch of folks in full ancient armor running down the track? I would want to see that every year.
On a side note, I have a question for all of you:
Do you ever wonder what the ancient Greeks and Romans would think of our seeming obsession with them? We make movies, write books, dress up, and even celebrate them. Do you think they are watching us up there and wondering what the heck is wrong with us?
I for one am curious what you all think.
Anywho!
(Don’t click the read more, there isn’t any more after this!)
