SOCIOLOGY OF SPORTS CHAPTER 3 STUDYING THE PAST

THE PAST This chapter draws on existing sport histories to focus o physical games sport like activities: 1. Ancient Greeks 2. the Roman Empire 3. Europe/Middle Ages 4. Europe/Renaissance 5. U.S./Industrial Revolution s

Ancient Greece Sports were: Grounded in mythology Linked with religious beliefs Characterized by:  Gender exclusion  Frequent violence  Absence of administrative structures  Absence of measurements & record keeping

Greek Mythology Facts Greek festival were linked with religious belief. Olympia was chosen as the site of the games, and Olympia dedicated to the god Zeus about 1000B.C The games at Olympia were held every 4 years. The Olympia games became the most prestigious event. Women were not allowed to participate because they were seen as inferior beings. The games were very violent and athletes were occasionally maimed or killed.

Roman Contests and Games 100BC – AD 500 Emphasized spectacle, combat, and the power of political leaders Characterized by –Diversions for the masses –Exclusion of women as athletes –Absence of quantification and record keeping

ROMAN ERA Gladiator History - From Religious to Political Events Gladiator History had started with the provision of Gladiatorial Games at funerals. History then moved on and the gladiatorial games were seen as a method to appease the Roman gods and avert Rome from disaster. The Ancient Romans who were responsible for staging such events grew in popularity, so the 'games' became political events by which prominent Romans could gain popularity with the mob. By the first century A.D. providing gladiatorial games even became a requirement of some public offices. The Ancient Romans who were responsible for staging such events grew in popularity, so the 'games' became political events by which prominent Romans could gain popularity with the mob. By the first century A.D. providing gladiatorial games even became a requirement of some public offices.

Roman Contests Facts Romans used physical games and contests to train soldiers and provide entertainment for the people. Events like the chariot races and gladiators combat were held. Wealthy Romans recruited slaves to compete. Spectators bet heavily on the competition. Women were allowed as a spectator but like the Greek not allowed to participate. Condemned criminal, captured Christians, and others were used to fight animals in the arena.

This is evidence of Women Gladiators (Achillia versus Amazon)

Medieval Europe Folk games played by peasants Tournaments played by elite for purposes of military readiness Gender restrictions grounded in religious dogma and beliefs Games lacked specialization and organization

Medieval Europe Facts Games & sport had a social-class difference. Knights and nobles participated in jousting, billiards, horseracing, hunting. Gender restriction were grounded in male centered family structured of the Catholic church. If women participated in games they had to be “lady-like activities.

Renaissance: Reformation, Renaissance: Reformation, Increasing control over peasants. Lives of many were restricted by labor Calvinist and Puritan beliefs did not promote any forms of leisure Games constituted diversions for people

Renaissance: Enlightenment Increased political freedom. Sports combined with education and culture equals the “Renaissance Man”.

Industrial Revolution: Early Years Organized, competitive sports emerged, especially among elite Time and space for games were limited in urban areas. New sports program and sports began to developed. Baseball grew after the Civil War. Every town had a game of baseball.

Industrial Revolution: Early Years He was the first, and no amount of revisionist history can rob Moses Fleetwood Walker of a historic distinction. In 1884, Walker broke through the invisible barrier that had stopped black men from playing "Organized Baseball," and he had achieved this historic first more than a half century before Jackie Robinson reached the Major Leagues. In fact, Walker's experiences were not significantly different than Robinson's were.

READ PAGES 75-76& 85 New Ideas About Skin Color and Ethnicity

LIMITED PARTICIPATION Growing emphasis on rationality and organization in society & sports Most sports were segregated by social class Women’s participation in sports was very limited

EARLY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Industrial Revolution: Later Years Growing emphasis on rationality and organization in society & sports Most sports were segregated by social class. Women’s participation in sports was still very limited

Women of the 1920s

Elite, Competitive Sports in the US: Sport participation comes to be linked with character development Organized sports were tied close to ideas about:  masculinity and femininity  race and ethnicity  age and disability

History Lessons: the origins of modern struggles The modern struggles involve three dominant areas confrontation: –What is the meaning, purpose, and organization of sports? Struggles over meaning – is soccer subversive? Struggles over purpose – is winning the only thing? Struggles over organization – can we play without a coach? –Who plays and under what conditions? Struggles over involvement – can everyone play? Struggles over conditions – do I have to submit to a drug test to play? –How and why sports are sponsored? Struggles over need – do we really need funding? Struggles over sources – what is better government or private finding?

SUMMARY What sport event was the Roman known for? What was the status of women athletes? Who was allowed to compete in tournaments in Medieval Europe? What were the sports? Which part of the Renaissance was consider the phrase “the Renaissance Man? What sport in America was played in every town? Who is Fleetwood Walker? Women began to play sports during what era? The modern struggles of sport involve three dominant areas of confrontation.