Hungarian tables: mathematics article | Tangente

Sport was one of the defining features of ancient Greek civilization. From the 8^th century BC, the Panhellenic Games were established in close connection with mythology. The Nemean Games honored Zeus, the Pythian Games celebrated Apollo at Delphi, and the Isthmian Games in Corinth were dedicated to Poseidon. The Olympic Games were held at the sanctuary of the Gods in Olympia, as were, somewhat later, the Heraean Games, which were reserved for women and held in honor of the goddess Hera.

These penteteric Games ("the fifth year") were held every four years. Originally, the only event was the stadion (see box). Other events were subsequently introduced, including the pentathlon at the eighteenth Olympiad, in 708 BC: long jump, discus, javelin, wrestling and the stadion. After the Games ended in AD 390, it was not until the late 19^th century that the Olympic tradition was revived.

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The mid-19^th century saw sporting competitions flourish in England. In 1851, for example, the Wenlock Olympian Games, forerunners of the modern Olympic Games, included a pentathlon consisting of a long jump, a high jump, a 36-pound shot put (about 16 kg!), an 880-yard race and a 55-foot rope climb (nearly 17 m).