FOREIGN PHYSICAL EDUCATION Physical Education in Greece. Physical Education experienced a ´´golden age´´ in the ancient Greece. The Greeks believed so much in physical education and this affected all phases of their lives. It played major role in the National festivals and helped in building strong military establishments. The Greeks are well known in history for their love of sports and particularly for the creation of the Olympic Games which began in ancient Greece in 776 B.C. and heid every four years until they were abolished in 394 A.D. By the Roman Emperior Theodosius. The education of the child was the responsibilityof the state. Only the healthy and strong children were preserved. The weak and sickly were ruthlessly exposed to die by the side of the mountains . Gymnastics and music played an important role in the upbringing of the youth.They believed that music for the spirit and gymnastics for the body. Activities such as Dancing, Running, Jumping, throwing the Discuss and Javelin were included in the programme.

Physical Education in Sparta The sole duty of the Spartan citizen was to serve the state as a soldier, other duties were carried out by the other city states. The major purpose of Spartan physical education was nto prepare ´´the man of action´´who possessed rugged strenght, endurance,courage and military skills. The education of the child in Sparta was the responsibility of the state. The mother took care of the child until the age of Seven,thereafter the child would be sent to a military school for training. Unfit and handicapped children were neglected to die in a cold mountain valley(Mount Thageasus). In the military school, they study a variety of physical activitiessuch as wrestling, jumping, throwing, marching, horse riding and military training.

Physical Education in Athens The Athenians made huge contributions towards civilization. They contributed to the development of modern medicine, science and physical education. They believed that man should be educated physically and mentally. They builts palaestras (stadium) for the physical education called Gymnastics. Each Palaestra was looked after by a demonstrator called ´´Paidotribe´´ and an instructor called ´´Gymnast´´. These gymnasia in ancient Greece were the physical, social and intellectual training centres. In the gymnasia youths between the ages of 14 and 16 years received special training in horse riding, hunting and foot-racing.

Greeks Sport Festivals There are many local festivals but four national festivals called PAN-HELLENIC Games are; Nemean Games. The game was established about 576 B.C. in honour of Nemean zeus. 2. Pythian Games. These games were established in 582 B.C. In honour of Pythian Apollo, the god of prophesy and truth. The pythian games were held in Delphi every four years. Wreaths of Laurel were given to the athletes at the Pythian Games. 3. Isthmean Games. The game was established about 586 B.C. In honour of the god Poseidon- the god of the sea. Ancient Olympic Games. (776 BC)

Ancient Olympic Games The ancient Olympic games began at Olympia, in Greecein 776 BC . The event was held every four years from 776 BC to 394 AD in honour of ´´Zeus´ the king of Greeks gods. The games were held at the Olympia, in Elis, in the western wooden valley. The concept of the Olympic Games is that athletes compete for honour not for material things. The games were held as part of religious ceremonies in honour of dead heroes. The ancient Olympic Games served as bond between Greeks and promoted thr Greeks sense of national unity. However the games were abolished by the Roman Emperior Theodosius because of pegan practices.

Assignment Highlight five contributions of the Greeks to modern physical education.