I love Greek history.
So many wars and such great mythology. Greeks invented democracy, so the people
ruled with one man one vote. Thanks, Greece. Some suggest that if the Athenians
hadn’t defeated the Persians at the battle of Marathon, our western
civilization would not enjoy the freedom we now have. We’d be at the mercy of a
dictator like it still is in much of modern Persia. Thanks again Greece. We owe
you.
Greek inventions
include the Catapult, the Map, the Odometer, the Analog Computer (check out the
Antikythera mechanism), the Steam Engine and don’t forget the Olympics. Also, the
Greek, Archimedes, was the Leonardo de Vinci of his time with many futuristic inventions.
But one invention
isn’t in the history books.
I’ve visited Greece a
number of times. But it was most recently on a visit to the Athens Archaeological
Museum that I came upon a piece of Greek history that surprised me when I laid
eyes upon it. It was the marble grave marker of a Greek soldier. It would
appear that he was a hoplite (infantry) soldier who was also possibly an
accomplished athlete. His sport? Refer to the picture and tell me what this
sport is. If it isn’t a form of hockey, then I don’t know what else
you would call it.
The sides of the base
of this grave monument show soldiers in battle attire and war chariots. But the
front of the statue base is the important scene because there are only carvings
on three sides and the hockey scene is front and center. It shows six men
playing hockey using curved sticks and a ball. This Greek soldier played our
game.
This grave monument
is from around 500BC and was found in the ancient cemetery of Athens, or the
Kerameikos. A statue or “kouros” would have stood on this marble base but it is
missing. It would be interesting to know what the statue was which stood on
this base. Possibly an ancient hockey hero? Was he the Wayne Gretzky of his
time?
I have read with awe
about the Spartans and the incredible battle of Thermopylae. Knowing they had
been betrayed and knowing they would die, King Leonidas and a small contingent
of hoplites defended the narrow pass at Thermopylae (“hot gates”) against a half million Persian invaders for
three days. On their final day, over breakfast and knowing their fate, Leonidas
said “tonight we dine in Hades”. In
their final hour, the remainder of them perished in a hail of arrows which
blocked out the sun. They are remembered for their bravery and I am inspired by
their sacrifice. I have been to Thermopylae and I said a prayer for King
Leonidas at the hot sulfur springs that still exist there.
I cannot contemplate
having the kind of bravery they demonstrated.
But I can identify
with that soldier who played our game.
That is something I can understand. There was a connection there, in that
lonely space in the museum between him and me. I felt it.
I know the argument
rages about who invented “our” game and when it began. And I know this isn’t
ice hockey. But this monument is part of hockey history and one I didn’t expect
to find in a Greek museum alongside such beautiful ancient marble and bronze masterpieces.
The history and mythology were impressive in that place but this odd little relic
is what stuck with me as I departed the museum.
After all, hockey is
more than just a sport. It’s a brotherhood. It’s almost a religion to some of
us. We bleed our team colors. We teach our kids the game and see them
participate, to play as a team and hopefully to become leaders. We watch our
teams of hockey soldiers battle against the enemy teams. We criticize our
hockey generals when the strategies they employ are not successful. Our
victories are celebrated with parades and adulation. Heroes are made and
worshiped. We speak about how the hockey gods give and how they take away.
Each year it begins
again. All teams have a chance to win. The rules are tweaked and voted upon to
try to make it fair and equitable for all.
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