DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3720#0035
WRESTLING, BULL-FIGHTS, MUSIC. 19
"Wrestling was also among the games of the Egyptians, as
well as other trials of dexterity; and the grottoes of Beni
Hassan show all the numerous positions, modes of attack and
defence, and various artful resources adopted by wrestlers; as
well as sham fights, and the more serious conflicts of single-
stick and quarter-staff. Conflicts with long poles (still a
favourite weapon with the Egyptians) were very common
among the peasants and boatmen of the Nile (woodcut 6) ; and
Herodotus tell us of a battle with sticks, which was part of a
religious ceremony.
Bull-fighting was also a favourite sport. It was even
allowed in the avenue leading to the temple of Pthah (Vulcan)
at Memphis; and prizes were given to the owner of the suc-
cessful bull, as they were to those men who excelled in
wrestling and other games.* Nor are these the only pastimes
represented at Beni Hassan; and tricks of various kinds, not
always very intelligible to a modern spectator, are recorded in
the paintings of the tombsf; some of which I shall introduce
here, as it may be amusing to try to understand them, or they
may possibly be explained by future discoveries (woodcut 7).
The games were exhibited before and after dinner; and
nothing was omitted that could promote festivity, or the
entertainment of the party. Music was the most popular, and
was always introduced at the very commencement of a feast, as
soon as the guests arrived. The instruments were principally
harps, lyres, guitars, drums, tambourines of various shapes,
clappers, double and single pipes, flutes, and a few others of
less common occurrence; and they were often accompanied by
songs and the clapping of hands. Sometimes a solo was per-
formed on one of these instruments; but it was more usual
For various games, see P. A. of Ancient Egyptians, vol. i. pp. 189—211.
+ Ibid. vol. i. p. X94.
c2
"Wrestling was also among the games of the Egyptians, as
well as other trials of dexterity; and the grottoes of Beni
Hassan show all the numerous positions, modes of attack and
defence, and various artful resources adopted by wrestlers; as
well as sham fights, and the more serious conflicts of single-
stick and quarter-staff. Conflicts with long poles (still a
favourite weapon with the Egyptians) were very common
among the peasants and boatmen of the Nile (woodcut 6) ; and
Herodotus tell us of a battle with sticks, which was part of a
religious ceremony.
Bull-fighting was also a favourite sport. It was even
allowed in the avenue leading to the temple of Pthah (Vulcan)
at Memphis; and prizes were given to the owner of the suc-
cessful bull, as they were to those men who excelled in
wrestling and other games.* Nor are these the only pastimes
represented at Beni Hassan; and tricks of various kinds, not
always very intelligible to a modern spectator, are recorded in
the paintings of the tombsf; some of which I shall introduce
here, as it may be amusing to try to understand them, or they
may possibly be explained by future discoveries (woodcut 7).
The games were exhibited before and after dinner; and
nothing was omitted that could promote festivity, or the
entertainment of the party. Music was the most popular, and
was always introduced at the very commencement of a feast, as
soon as the guests arrived. The instruments were principally
harps, lyres, guitars, drums, tambourines of various shapes,
clappers, double and single pipes, flutes, and a few others of
less common occurrence; and they were often accompanied by
songs and the clapping of hands. Sometimes a solo was per-
formed on one of these instruments; but it was more usual
For various games, see P. A. of Ancient Egyptians, vol. i. pp. 189—211.
+ Ibid. vol. i. p. X94.
c2