Ancient Pankration

The word Pankration is a Greek word which translated means “all powers” or “all powerful”, both are acceptable translations by Greek scholars. Pankration was a sporting event in the ancient Greek Olympic games that was first introduced in the games of 648 BC. The rules of the sport were simple, no biting or eye gouging and victory was secured through knockout , submission or death. The historical records of the early pankration are shrouded and mixed with Greek mythology and it is not known whether these accounts of championship bouts and feats of strength of the champions were myth or actual accounts. What is known is that just like the boxers and wrestlers of the Olympic games the Pankration competitors refined their skills for many generations throught hundreds of years and became extremely proficient at all elements of their sport including ground fighting and submission holds to standing fighting with all types of strikes. Many of the holds, throuws and striking techniques can be seen on ther pottery, statues and drawings of those times. The ancient Oympic games were intertwined with many ceremonies and connections to the worship of gods that were pagan to the rising christian poplulation. Because of this association and the rise of christianity the games eventually came to a halt and along with it Pankration competition desappeared for many centuries.
The Olympic games were eventually adopted and reborn throughout the world alternating the competition in a new country every 4 years, however, Pankration competition was not included. It is only because of the sparse historical records and the special interests of a few individuals that Pankration is having a rebirth in this generation.

Modern Day Pankration

The current wave of “no hold barred” and pay per view fighting events has brought with it a curiosity and interest to it’s ancient predecessor Pankration. Just as the boxing venue grew and evolved from ancient Greece to Madison Square Garden and the rest of the world, the skill, techniques, training methods, rules, attire and safety measures have also evolved. For the most part this evolution has been beneficial to the sport and it’s participants. Now after centuries ancient Greek Pankration is getting the opportunity to become Modern Pankration the same way as it’s brother boxing did.

Our website: Posener’s Pankration/MMA, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Submission Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, Self defense, Fitness.