Getty ImagesThe modern Olympics might be a polished spectacle of global sport, but the original games in Ancient Greece were a very different affair. Held in Olympia from 776 BCE, the ancient Olympics were a religious festival as much as a sporting event, dedicated to Zeus and filled with rituals, pageantry—and some truly strange competitions. Athletes competed nude, were only men (at least officially), and events ranged from awe-inspiring to downright bizarre by today’s standards. Sport in the ancient world was as much about honour, display, and religious duty as it was about physical achievement. Here are some of the most unusual ancient Olympic events that didn’t make it into the modern games.
1. Hoplitodromos (Race in full armour)
Forget lightweight trainers—this footrace required competitors to run wearing a helmet, greaves, and carry a shield, totalling around 25 kg. The race distance was typically two lengths of the stadium, or roughly 400 metres. The event was meant to simulate the rush into battle, testing speed, stamina, and balance under the burden of full battle kit. Falling flat on your face was a real risk, and injuries were common. The race served not only as a sporting contest but as a form of military training, reminding spectators of the warrior ethos central to Greek identity.
2. Pankration (No-holds-barred fighting)
A brutal blend of boxing and wrestling, the pankration had very few rules—no biting and no eye-gouging, and that was about it. Everything else, from strangling to joint-locks, was allowed. Competitors fought until someone surrendered, lost consciousness, or, in some tragic cases, died. The crowd loved the spectacle, and champions of the pankration were treated as heroes and sometimes even honoured with statues. Despite its violence, pankration was held up as the ultimate test of strength, strategy, and courage.
3. Apobates (Dismounting from chariots)
Part sport, part military exercise, the apobates event involved a chariot race where the competitor jumped off the moving chariot, ran alongside it in full armour, and then leapt back on. It required incredible timing, coordination, and agility, and it echoed the movements of warriors jumping from chariots during battle. The risks were high—participants could easily fall and be trampled by the horses or crushed by the wheels. Still, the spectacle was celebrated, and the winners were often lauded for their martial bravery.
4. Trumpet and herald contests
Not all Olympic events involved athleticism or combat. Some were about the power of voice and ceremony. In these lesser-known competitions, participants were judged on their ability to project their voice or produce a resonant blast from a salpinx (a long trumpet). It was more than symbolic—clear and commanding voices were essential for communication in battle and public life. Winners earned the right to announce victors in the other games and were considered crucial figures in the smooth running of the event.
5. Race for heralds and trumpeters
Different from the sound contests, this event was an actual footrace specifically for those who had the role of official heralds or trumpeters in the games. The winner gained the prestigious duty of proclaiming results and keeping order throughout the festival. This odd competition underscored how seriously the Greeks took every aspect of the games, from ceremony to sound.
6. Pentathlon (With an odd mix of skills)
The ancient pentathlon included five events: long jump, javelin throw, discus, a footrace, and wrestling. The long jump was particularly unusual—it was performed with weights called halteres, which the athlete swung during takeoff to add momentum. This required rhythm and coordination rather than raw leg power. Winning the pentathlon signified all-around excellence. It wasn’t just about speed or strength, but balance, versatility, and adaptability—traits that were valued in both athletes and soldiers.
7. Chariot racing
Not entirely bizarre by itself, but what made this event unusual was that the official victor was not the driver but the owner of the horses. This meant that wealthy aristocrats, often women in later years, could claim Olympic glory without ever stepping into the arena. The event was dramatic and dangerous. Multi-horse chariots raced at speed around tight turns, and crashes were common. The stakes were high—winning brought immense prestige, but a single error could lead to catastrophe.
8. Boys’ events
The Olympics also featured separate competitions for boys, including boxing, wrestling, and running. These events served as both entertainment and training for future warriors. However, there was no formal age category system, and so younger boys could find themselves facing opponents who were older and physically more mature. The events were every bit as competitive and, at times, just as bloody as those of the adult games.
9. Mule cart racing
This odd event made a brief appearance in 500 BCE and was never seen again. It involved racing carts pulled by mules rather than horses—a decision that might have been intended to mock the elite or make the event more accessible. However, it failed to gain popularity, possibly because mules were considered less noble and harder to control. The chaos and unpredictability of the event likely contributed to its quick disappearance from the Olympic programme.
10. Keles (bareback horse racing)
In this risky event, competitors raced on horseback without saddles or stirrups. Riders had to cling to their mounts using only their legs and balance, making it one of the most dangerous events in the games. Falls were frequent, and serious injuries weren’t uncommon. Unlike the chariot race, the rider here did receive the victory, making it one of the few equestrian events where skill and bravery were directly rewarded.
11. Hoplite dance (Pyrrhiche)
A curious mix of performance, ritual, and training, the Pyrrhiche was a war dance performed by young men in armour. While it wasn’t part of the official Olympic events, it was often included in the wider celebrations. The dance mimicked battlefield movements and was seen as both a display of grace and readiness for war. In some festivals, it was even judged competitively.
12. Rope climbing and tree scaling
In smaller festivals modelled after the Olympics, and sometimes in associated games like the Heraclean contests, rope climbing and tree scaling events were recorded. These physical challenges were often used as a way of testing agility and upper body strength, with competitors timed on how quickly they could reach the top. While these events never made it into the core Olympic schedule, they reflect how broad and inventive ancient athletics could be.
These unusual contests show just how different the ancient Olympics were from what we see today. They reflected a world where physical prowess was intertwined with warfare, religion, ceremony, and civic pride. Some events were dangerous, others theatrical or symbolic, but all were designed to showcase excellence in ways that resonated with the cultural values of the time. The bizarre events of the ancient games remind us that sport has always been shaped by the culture around it—and sometimes, that culture was pretty strange. But whether running in armour, jumping from chariots, or shouting into a trumpet, ancient athletes competed with passion, honour, and a deep sense of purpose.
