Persian armies are made strong and fit for war as their main objective is to build

an empire through military aggression.

At age 6, state requires all boys to leave homes for training which consists of events
such as running, slinging, shooting a bow, thrown a javelin, riding, hunting, and
marching.
Physical education and sport experienced a “golden age” in ancient Greece. They
strove for physical perfection, and this objective affected all phases of their lives. No
country in history has held physical education or sport in such high esteem as the
ancient Greece.
Physical Education and Sport in Greece
Physical education and sport experienced a “golden age” in ancient Greece. They
strove for physical perfection, and this objective affected all phases of their lives. No
country in history has held physical education or sport in such high esteem as the
ancient Greece.
Physical education was vital part of the education of every Greek boy. Gymnastics and
music were considered the most important subjects. “Exercise for the body and music
for the soul”.
Gymnastics stressed the sense of fair play, development of physical of individual’s
aesthetic values, amateurism, and the utilitarian values inherent in the activity.
Sparta – the main objective of physical education and sport was to contribute to a
strong and powerful army.
Athens – the antithesis of Sparta. Athenians engaged in physical activity to
develop their bodies, for aesthetic value, and to live a fuller and more vigorous life.
Palaestra – a building provided to have various physical activities. A place were
youth gymnastics is practiced.
Paidotribe – or proprietor of the palaestra was similar to a present-day
physical educator.
At ages 14-16, youth are then transferred to gymnasiums, a place for physical, social,
and intellectual centers in Greece.
The national festival were the most important events in the lives of the Greeks and were
also important in laying the foundation for the modern Olympics.
The Olympics games were first held in 776 B.C. Continued every fourth year thereafter
until abolished by the Romans in A.D. 394
Physical Education and Sport in Rome
The Romans believed that exercise was for health and military purposes. Citizens
between 17 to 60 years old were liable for military service.
Soldiers followed a rigid schedule which included marching, running, jumping,
swimming, and throwing javelin and discuss.
The ‘Thermae’ and ‘Campus Martius’ replaced the gymnasium in Greece.
Thermae are public baths made for exercise
Campus Martius is the exercise grounds placed in the outskirts of the city where most of
the exercise are done which are recreational in nature.
Physical Education and Sport during the Dark Ages
Ascetism and Scholasticism
Dark ages refer to the fall of Roman Empire about 476 A.D. This period is brought about
by the Teutonic Barbarians overrunning the Roman Empire. As morally and physically
weak Roman empire crumbled, the Teutonic Barbarians overran the lands. The
Teutonic
Barbarians are nomadic and mainly characterized with a life dwelled in hunting, caring
for their cattle and sheep, and participation in vigorous outdoor sports and warfare.
Such a regimen built strong and physically fit.
Teutonic values physical activity, two more movements were introduced- asceticism
and scholasticism.
The spread of Christianity resulted in the rise of asceticism which is the belief that
evil exists in the body and therefore is should be subordinated the spirit, which is pure.
They though physical activities were foolish pursuits because they were designed to
improve the body. The body was evil and should be tortured rather improved
The other movement that affected physical education and sport is scholasticism which
believed that facts are the most essential items in education. The key to a successful
life
is knowing facts and developing one’s mental and intellectual powers. This movements
deemphasized the physical.
The Christian emperor Theodosius abolished the Olympic games in A.D. 394 because
he considered the to be pagan.
Physical Education and Sport in the age of Feudalism
Feudalism was a result of the decentralization of government during the Dark Ages
which occurred between the ninth and fourteenth centuries. This was a system of land
tenure based on allegiance and service to the nobleman or lord. The feudalistic period
appeared because people needed protection which can be seen in the nobleman who
made themselves strong, built castles, and had large land holdings.\
Two careers were open for the sons of the nobleman. They may enter training for the
church and become members of the clergy or become knights. Chivalry is more
appealing than the church since it involved physical, social, and military training.
Accolade marks the conferring of knighthood which started at age 7 and ends at age 21.
Joust and Tournaments are special events where all knights engage with activities that
tests their fitness. These are activities that showcases skills in horsemanship and
exhibition of showmanship gained in the period of training.
Physical Education and Sport during the Renaissance
The renaissance was known as a time of great progress for humankind. The theory
that the body and the soul were inseparable, indivisible, and one was necessary for the
optimum functioning if the other became popular. This is believed to promote good
physical health.
The rise of belief that a person needs rest and recreation from study and work. They
body needed to be developed for purposes of health and for preparation for warfare.
The renaissance period helped to interpret the worth of physical education to the public
in general. It also demonstrated how a society that promotes the dignity and freedom of
the individual and recognizes the value of human life will also highly respect the
development and maintenance of human body.
Physical Education and Sport in Europe
Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain
Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Great Britain led Europe in the promotion of physical
education and sport. Different studies of individuals and countries contributed in the
growth and advancement of this field.
Physical Education and sports in Germany during the modern European period is
associated with the names Basedow, Guts Muths, Jans, and Spies.
Johann Bernhard Basedow established a school which he called Philantropinum which
admitted students from all classes of society and offered physical education as part of
the curriculum.
Johann Christoph Friedrich Guts Muths was often referred as one of the founders of
modern physical education in Germany because of his contributions and works related
to gymnastics and the used of apparatuses.
Friedrich Ludwig Jahn added more apparatuses in the turnplatz or the exercise ground
that led to hundreds of visitors.
Adolph Spiess was the founder of school gymnastics in Germany
Physical Education and sports in Sweden during the modern European period is
associated with the names P.H. Ling, Branting, Nyblaeus, and H.F. Ling.
Per Henrick Ling was associated in the rise of physical education to a place of
importance in Sweden. He emphasized the need for physical education both for the
weak and the strong.
Lars Gabriel Branting devoted his studies in the area medical gymnastics.
Gustaf Nyblaeus specialized in military gymnastics and it is in his time that women were
included in the school.
Hjalmar Frederik Ling was responsible for physical education becoming an essential
subject for both boys and girls in schools.
Physical Education and sports in Denmark during the modern European period is
associated with the names Nachtegall and Bukh.
Franz Nachtegall was responsible in the introduction of physical education to Denmark
and training the teachers for teaching the subject.
Niels Bukh focused on the concept primitive gymnastics which attempted to build a
perfect physique through the series of exercises performed with cessation of movement.
Physical Education and sports in Great Britain was known as the home of outdoor
sports, which became very influential throughout the world.
Archibald Maclaren pointed out in his works that health is more important than strength.
Physical Education and Sport in the United States
United States played a crucial role in the development of the modern Olympics and the
establishment of the International Olympic Committee through one history professor that
shared the information to Coubertin of France about the ancient Olympic games. He the
saw that the Olympics could embody the ideals to which he ascribed: amateurism, fair
play, good competition, promotion of good will, and fostering of understanding
among athletes of the world.
Introduction of Intramurals- as the rise for the interest in sports, the intramurals was
developed. It aims to give avenue for sports competitions for all students and not just
the skilled elite. This provided greater opportunities for both men and women to
participate in healthful recreational activities.