WHAT IS PANKRATION?

Pankration is a rarely seen devastating martial art from ancient Greece (i.e. Hellas). It is a realistic, all-encompassing self-defense system composed of powerful striking skills, dynamic takedowns, effective ground fighting skills and devastating finishing holds.

Pankration has a continuous history in Greece (i.e. Hellas) from the year 1062 B.C. to today. It became the most popular and demanding of all athletic contests in the Ancient Olympic Games for over 1,000 years (from 648 B.C. to 396 A.D.). The term is derived from the Greek adjectives "Pan" and "Kratos" and is translated to mean "complete use of powers" or "all powers".

The techniques of Pankration utilize the entire arsenal of the body and mind, and include rarely seen finishing holds for self-defense, as well as combat kickboxing, and submission wrestling techniques. Pankration's curriculum is easy to learn because it is based on a unique approach which focuses on teaching principles of combat and body movement, not just techniques. This process enables one to absorb that which is most practical and functional.

Today Pankration is taught in three different formats: As a martial art for self-defense purposes; as a combat sport for no-holds-barred (NHB) competition; and as a potential/future Olympic sport. For instance, in recent years attempts have been made to popularize and modernize the status of sport Pankration in Greece, and around the world, and to re-introduce it as part of a future Olympic Games.

This renewed interest in Pankration worldwide has led to many martial arts schools and "coaches" who claim to teach Pankration but do not appear to have the faintest idea of the 'essence' of real Hellenic Pankration.

Authentic Pankration has always been taught as a way of life which includes training not only in the combative aspects and techniques of this effective martial art, but also practical instruction on ethical, moral and philosophical principles. Therefore, unless one is learning this complete way of life, they may only be practicing a degraded or brutal 'gladiatorial' version of Pankration which is not a Greek legacy at all, in which case the term 'caveat emptor' (buyer be aware) applies.

Keep in mind that in order to maintain the highest levels of practitioner proficiency, Pankration is taught only by certified instructors, to only a few students at a time. Part of this learning includes history, geography and philosophy, as well as physiology, anatomy and kinesiology.

In the next two pages you will find a brief history of Greek Pankration, as well as the 'modern' grading/ranking system of authentic Pankration--which was devised in the early 20th century.

Next: A Brief History of Pankration