Date of Award

7-1928

Degree Type

Bachelors Essay

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Education

First Advisor

James M. O'Gorman

Second Advisor

James McCormick

Abstract

When one wishes to inquire into the origin, or at least into the early forms of physical development, one turns to the early civilized nations for material and information. Knowledge of the early Egyptians, the Persians, and the Greeks comes to us through historians who deciphered the writings of these ancient peoples, so that we now know something about their lives and habits. The earliest forms of physical labor were those connected with hunting, tilling the soil, building homes, and warfare. As each of these developed, man also progressed in skill and became more and more proficient in the use of these arts. Man at first, never thought of arranging contests as we do, nor to specially train for them. Therefore these contests were matters of ceremony, or trials of strength, skill and speed, conducted spontaneously at opportune times on any field. During a festival these games added to the enjoyment and amusement of the people as during· the Homeric times when athletic games and sports were made part of funeral ceremonies and great festivals. Later these games became permanent and periodic. Augmented by dancing and music, these games served the purpose of the glorification of their deities whose good will they tried to evoke.

Comments

Submitted to the College of Liberal Arts of Marquette University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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