cover of episode The Ancient Olympics

The Ancient Olympics

2024/7/28
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Nigel Spivey
旁白
知名游戏《文明VII》的开场动画预告片旁白。
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旁白: 古代奥运会是古希腊人近12个世纪来为了祭祀神明而举办的一项重要体育赛事,运动员代表他们的城邦竞技,胜负都可能改变他们的生活轨迹。比赛项目丰富多样,包括赛跑、投掷、摔跤、马术等,甚至还有残酷的潘克拉辛。奥运会不仅是宗教活动,也是城邦之间展现实力和建立联盟的场所。随着罗马帝国的扩张,奥运会逐渐失去了宗教色彩,最终在公元393年被禁止。 Nigel Spivey: 奥运会的起源可能与青铜时代的集会场所有关,最初的比赛可能只是牲畜养殖者为了展示自己牲畜的优良品质而进行的简单比赛。随着时间的推移,比赛项目逐渐丰富,并与军事训练和城邦之间的竞争联系起来。裸体比赛是古希腊文化的独特现象。奥运会期间,运动员和观众都要经历艰苦的条件,这与古希腊人‘光荣来自奋斗’的理念相符。罗马人继承了奥运会的传统,但逐渐淡化了其宗教意义,最终导致了奥运会的消亡。 Nigel Spivey: 体育馆的设立是为了培养年轻人的军事作战能力,因为当时的战争主要依靠步兵作战,需要士兵具备良好的体能和近身格斗能力。奥运会格斗比赛的对手是通过抽签决定的,一些运动员会因为对手过于强大而选择放弃比赛。观众会购买纪念品,或者触摸冠军的遗物或雕像,以寻求好运。

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The chariot race at the ancient Olympics was a dangerous and prestigious event, often involving slaves competing for their freedom and the glory of their masters. The race was filled with high stakes and potential for serious injury or death.

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For nearly 12 centuries, the Ancient Greeks honoured their gods with one of the most famous sporting contests in the world: The Olympic Games. Athletes represented their city states to compete for the glory of the gods, knowing that winning or losing could change the course of their lives. From dangerous martial arts and the perilous chariot race, to sprints and the pentathlon, the Games showcased strength, skill, and stamina.

But why did the Olympic Games first begin? What did the earliest competitions look like? What was it like to take part in a competition with no second place and, in some cases, no rules. And why did the Ancient Games die out for over a thousand years?

This is a Short History Of….The Ancient Olympics.

A Noiser Production, written by Lindsay Galvin. With thanks to Dr Nigel Spivey, a senior lecturer in Classics, at the University of Cambridge.

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