Physical Education Pedagogy: History of physical education · From Antiquity to the Enlightenment
How ancient, medieval, Renaissance and Enlightenment societies thought about training the body, and why their ideas still shape physical education.
Try 3 questions
1. In ancient Greece, what was the palaestra mainly used for?
- Chariot racing practice
- Wrestling and boxing practice
- Public music contests
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Answer: Wrestling and boxing practice
The palaestra was a wrestling school: an open courtyard, often part of a gymnasium, where combat sports were taught and practiced.
2. The word "gymnasium" comes from the Greek "gymnos". What does that word reveal about Greek training?
- Athletes usually trained naked
- Training took place outdoors only
- Only the young could train
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Answer: Athletes usually trained naked
Gymnos means naked; Greek men exercised and competed unclothed, so the gymnasium was literally the place for exercising naked.
3. Who was the paidotribes in classical Greek education?
- A trainer teaching boys physical skills
- A tutor teaching boys to read
- A doctor treating injured athletes
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Answer: A trainer teaching boys physical skills
The paidotribes ran the physical side of a boy's schooling, teaching wrestling, running and jumping, alongside the teachers of letters and music.
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