Wrestling is one of the oldest forms of recreational combat. It can be traced back to the dawn of civilization. Carvings and drawings that have been dated to be 15,000-20,000 years old have been found in caves of southern Europe. These drawings show wrestlers in various holds and leverage positions. The ancient Sumerians cast wrestlers in relief on stone slabs up to 5,000 years ago.
Wrestling was also highly developed in Egypt, where paintings of wrestlers have been found in lavish tombs of kings and other high officials. Art works found in the temple-tombs of Beni Hasan in middle kingdom Egypt are some of the most technically correct drawings depicting wrestling that have been discovered. There were hundreds of drawings found there, and they clearly demonstrate that most of the same holds wrestlers used today were preformed in ancient Egypt.
Wrestling was a very popular form of sport, battle, and entertainment in the Greek culture. Lists of Olympic wrestlers have been recorded since 708 B.C. Ever heard of the philosopher Plato? He was actually a prize winning wrestler as a young man, and his real name was Aristocles. Plato, which means 'broad shoulders' was actually a nickname given to him because of his success in wrestling--it was in a sense, his stage name.
In Olympic wrestling, the goal was for one opponent to throw the other onto the ground, landing on a hip, shoulder, or back for a fair fall. Three throws were necessary to win a match, much like today's traditional three count pin. Biting and genital holds were not allowed, but brutal attacks such as breaking an opponents fingers were perfectly legal.
All over the world we find that the origin of wrestling runs deep, and was taken very seriously by even the elite and royalty. In Eurpe during the Middle Ages wrestling was considered a knightly skill. Greek mythology holds that Cronus wrestled his father Zeus for possession of the universe. It has also been stated by L.M. Boyd that in 858 A.D., the entire Kingdom of Japan was wagered on the outcome of a wrestling match! That wager is one that was a bit more serious than a Hair vs Hair match.
Styles of wrestling emerged all over the world, but in today's culture the most popular form of wrestling is something that in the year 2011 is called 'sports entertainment' and is much different from its long-ago origins.
So, how did we get from Olympic arenas, to carnival side shows, to territories, to today's popular sports entertainment?
Come along for the ride, and find out.
information and images credit to:
www.wrestlingsbest.com
www.wrestlinghalloffame.org/History/TheOldestSport.html
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Olympics/wrestling.html
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So glad to know you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking time to read it. 
