In the National events of the ancient Greeks and Romans games of every description formed a most important part. The principal of the four games publicly solemnized in Greece were the Olympic; but games Of different kinds were exercised by the early Romans, which consisted of chariot and horse racing, combats and theatrical sports. They also exercised themselves before bathing in leaping, running, throwing the javelin, quoit, etc. The athletic exercises practiced among these nations consisted of wrestling, boxing and such other exercises, requiring great strength. Prizes were given to the victors and many privileges granted to them. The Olympic Games, the chief of the festivals of the Greeks, were celebrated every fifth year, and consisted of religious ceremonies, athletic contests and races. Under the emperors Of ancient Rome places were built in which the Romans were to perform athletic exercises. These places were known as Gymnasia, but they were imitations of those buildings erected by the Spartans, the inhabitants of Sparta, the capital of the mountainous country in Greece, and bounded by the Messenian, La eonian and Argolic Gulfs.
